₦airaland Forum

robosky02:
Queen Amina of Zaria
(16th century)

The seven original states of Hausaland: Katsina, Daura, Kano, Zazzau, Gobir, Rano, and Garun Gabas cover an area of approximately 500 square miles and comprise the heart of Hausaland. In the sixteenth century, Queen Bakwa Turunku built the capital of Zazzau at Zaria, named after her younger daughter. Eventually, the entire state of Zazzau was renamed Zaria, which is now a province in present-day Nigeria.

However it was her elder daughter, the legendary Amina (or Aminatu), who inherited her mother's warlike nature. Amina was 16 years old when her mother became queen and she was given the traditional title of magajiya. She honed her military skills and became famous for her bravery and military exploits, as she is celebrated in song as "Amina daughter of Nikatau, a woman as capable as a man."

Amina is credited as the architect who created the strong earthen walls around the city, which was the prototype for the fortifications used in all Hausa states. She built many of these fortifications, which became known as ganuwar Amina or Amina's walls, around various conquered cities.

The objectives of her conquests were twofold: extension of Zazzau beyond its primary borders and reducing the conquered cities to vassal status. Sultan Muhammad Bello of Sokoto stated that, "She made war upon these countries and overcame them entirely so that the people of Katsina paid tribute to her and the men of Kano [and]... also made war on cities of Bauchi till her kingdom reached to the sea in the south and the west." Likewise, she led her armies as far as Nupe and, according to the Kano Chronicle, "The Sarkin Nupe sent her [the princess] 40 eunuchs and 10,000 kola nuts. She was the first in Hausaland to own eunuchs and kola nuts."

Amina was a preeminent gimbiya (princess) but various theories exist as to the time of her reign or if she ever was a queen. One explanation states that she reigned from approximately 1536 to 1573, while another posits that she became queen after her brother Karama's death, in 1576. Yet another claims that although she was a leading princess, she was never a queen.

Despite the discrepancies, over a 34-year period, her many conquests and subsequent annexation of the territories extended the borders of Zaria, which also grew in importance and became the center of the North-South Saharan trade and the East-West Sudan trade.

^^^Wonder what Mr Dan Fodio would have made of her! She's lucky she was born long before the coming of Islam!

topsy1971:
Good write up. OP you forget that your people can easily be bought over? Igbos can never speak with one voice unlike Hausas and yorubas.
Reason: personal and selfish interests. Nice idea anyway @OP

^^^So according to topsy1971 Igbos are selfish while others like say the Yoruba and Hausa/Fulani are not!

Nice one!

Didn't finish reading it, but from the little i read the OP mirrors my sentiments regarding the place of the SE and SS in Nigeria!

dechiome:
As an Ibo man, I feel ashamed to be associated withe a group of political BEGGARS claiming to be representing my proud race known for harwork.
I think the time has come to critically review the role of Ohaneze and d quality of their representation in Iboland.
This 'politics of the stomach' must stop.
I do'nt care whether Buhari nominates an Iboman for SGF or any position for that matter. All I care is quality and honest/hardworking NIGERIAN who will serve the interest of All .
Enough of all these selfish rogues .

^^^Precisely!

barcanista:
Buhari can't be blind to see the pictures of the Almajiri underaged voters that returned him to power.

^^^Let's just say he turned a blind eye to all that!

MrPresident1:
Maybe we should just let the Biafrans have their country. See grown up jobless men.
This handshake is getting beyond the elbow.
Nothing must happen to Dr. Ariyo.

^^^Or else what will happen?

Photoshopped!

Princecalm:
Things will be done in an orderly manner.

^^^'Orderly manner'!?.....That's a highly subjective term! One mans orderly manner is another mans harassment, subjugation and high-handedness!

I believe the removal of quota-system will first benefit Igbo and Yoruba....with Nigeria being the ultimate winner in the end; but unfortunately the core muslim north would beg to differ!

HappyJoe:
Work stopped since mid last year.

^^^I wonder if other ones being built in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano have suffered the same fate?

I hope you all can now see what i mean when i say this country is holding Alaigbo back!

AWONEYAN:
Which tribes are now crying for positions ,SSG, FCT minister,, holding meetings with GMB, even though dey did not vote for him.
Lesson of life....#becareful of ur statements today, no one knows tomoro.

^^^Which 'tribes' did you have in mind?

ibrokola:
Lol. They might as was should have used a sword.

^^^....Or go the whole hog and hack off piece by piece with a hammer and chisel!

HopeAtHand:
Any Ikwerre man that says he is Igbo can gladly pack his bags and move to Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi or Imo...not a problem.


Theres no space for Igbo in Ikwerreland.

ThankYou

^^^Are you in unbearable pain that some Ikwerre on here have woken up to the realisation that they were sold a dummy; that this whole issue of Ikwerre being Igbo or not is nothing more than diversionary tactics.....part of a wider plot of dividing the Greater Igbo nation and sowing seeds of division and mistrust among ethnic groups of the old Eastern Region; all done with a view to keeping this shithole of a country ONE!?

I've been mindful of your anti-Igbo disposition and contributions on this website, and i don't need a seer to tell me you're not who you claim to be (well not entirely at any rate); that you must be APC; that you have a soft spot for Hausa/Fulani and Yoruba; that you love 'one Nigeria'; that you have no qualms with the status-quo in place; and finally, that you love Buhari as much as you hate Ndigbo!

From which authority do you derive the boldness (if not arrogance) to demand that if Ikwerres admit to being Igbo they should relocate to Imo, Abia, etc!? You do realise Ikwerres own Port Harcourt!?

investnow2013:
Rotary Club donates ultra-modern toilet to primary school in Onitsha.

They pray daily to God to inspire them as Rotarians to live as they profess: to dignify their daily task and serve in selflessness.

And for the members of Rotary Club of Onitsha metropolis, the prayer has been accomplished since they live in the true meaning of that creed from their numerous works of charity.

Recently, it was the turn of the staff and pupils of Sancta Maria Primary School, Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha to get a feel of their milk of kindness.

The school got a donation of a six-room ultra modern toilet from the club.

For the school community, it was a gift that touched them in their innermost heart because the only existing toilet facility in the premises has been stretched beyond its limit in catering for the teeming population of staff and pupils.

The club in carrying out the project spared nothing in making it to look ultra-modern.

The structure was built with solid materials, all interior marbled with non-stop water flow with reservoir added with fresheners and detergents to make it ever hygienic.

Not only that, they employed a toilet attendant whose duty is to ensure an all-round the clock service.

Impressed by the service, the Chancellor, Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Rev. Fr. Anthony Asoanya, while invoking God’s grace on the facility declared that anyone who visited the toilet would go home blessed.

The Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha Archdiocese, Most Rev. Valerian Maduka Okeke was represented by Monsignor Nathaniel Obiagba who incidentally cut the tape to commission the project.

Speaking to Oriental News, the President, Rotary Club of Onitsha Metropolis, District 9140, Mrs. Margaret Oputa, a lawyer, said the project was heartwarming because it was basically designed for little kids.

She said by the gesture, Rotary is teaching the kids how to maintain hygiene and the importance of giving back to the society without expecting anything in return.

“The school pupils don’t know us and we came, brought our money, time and resources to do this for them. We want them when they grow up tomorrow to ask what they can do for the society and no longer what they expect government to do for them and I think that’s the only way we can develop this country,” she said.

The President explained that Rotarians are people who believe in the ideals of service and rendering back to the society.

She clarified that Rotary is a non-political, non-religious and not a philanthropic organization as some may think, saying that it is an all service oriented organisation that helps others that have the means to actualize their dreams.

She disclosed that they would embark on literacy quiz competition next month for secondary schools and give scholarships at the end of the programme as part of its continued efforts to render services to humanity.

The past president and the current chairman of the Service Project, Rotarian Afam Obi in a remark noted that the project was conceived because of the need to upgrade the living standards of the pupils in the 21st Century.

He likened the provision of modern toilet facility to being information technology compliant unlike when people relied on going to the bush to defecate or researching with analogue method.

He said their service comes in different directions, saying that they went the extra mile in doing the project so as to stand the test of time, disclosing that the project is in line with the rural water and sanitation project of the Rotary.

Another founding member and past president, Dr Emma Udeakpeh also said that the project was the outcome of the interface the club had with the school which led to the discovery that they needed a toilet facility.

He said that Rotary does not hesitate whenever it sees a need to fulfill.

The school headmistress, Lady Monica Ozojie, who could not hide her joy, described the day as wonderful and a dream come true.

She disclosed that toilet facility has been an issue since she was posted to the school and revealed that it was the Rotary that approached the school management early this year and asked them to make a request on what they needed.

She said that the project was completed within one month to the surprise of all in the school and said the greatest lesson for the kids in the school is for them to realize that one does not care only for one’s family members and friends.

The Chairman, Parents Teachers Dialogue of the school, Hon. Basil Onubeze thanked the Rotary family for the kind gesture.

He lauded the timely and professional touch given to the project and called on other well-meaning associations to toe the same path exemplified by the Rotary Club.

Another past president of the club, Dr. Abba. A. Abba described the project as a laudable initiative which they have achieved for the year 2015 and expressed hope that more would be accomplished.

In a vote of thanks, the incoming president of the club, Ada Slim Ilechukwu thanked all who contributed in any way towards making the project successful.

She said that the Rotary District 9140 would remain a pace-setter as she called for the support of all members and friends in the club.

^^^Any chance of seeing pics of these 'ultra modern toilets'...or am i asking for too much!?

They should mark out the parking lot nicely....not in a crude and hurried fashion! And also plant trees to give the area a lush green ambience! No open gutters should be allowed!

joeluv:
secretariat pics

^^^Now this particular pic is da bomb!

The only way we can get more of these type of beautiful buildings is if we are not tied too strongly to this 'Nigeria', or we separate entirely! Presently, it's usually Lagos or Abuja you find something on this scale.....places we have little or no stake in! I want cities in Alaigbo to be world-class and have structures and infrastructure to match!

kasiem:
sometimes, I doubt if posterity exists in nigeria cos the way we shape the past and the future amazes nature here. My dad and his mates had always prayed that posterity will one day judge buhari for the way he upturned their booming biz back in the days but that same buhari was shaped around to become a saint.

^^^Bros, that's the miraculous effects of 'repackaging'! Behold, all your sins will be washed away, and you'll become as new: whiter than Snow White, and purer than a vestal-virgin!

NgeneUkwenu:
Sorry! Now that the Super illiterate will rule You and your entire family, how do you feel?

^^^You're a nasty piece of shiit!.....You know that don't you!?

What's the purpose of digging up this thread....to gloat or what!?

You juvenile-minded twerps are not doing your darling Buhari any favours i can tell you that! You're only making the environment he'll work in (post May 29th) more hostile!

The Nigerian political-economy makes me sick!

I don't know why i seem to be the only one having issues with a situation whereby a state, region, zone or people can expect 'issues' to be addressed only when their party is in control at the centre....or when the Governor of their state is a party-apparatchik of the ruling party! So PDP or APGA states should expect to be royally screwed or what?

rexbuton:
IT is mostly due to over sabi.. And the south of nigeria is a microcosm of the entity called Nigeria... We have too many ethnic divisions down south, and everybody thinks his ethnic group is superior to the next one.. Though the north is not ethnically homogenous, it enjoys religious homogeneity, this evens the odds completely.. But in the south we have different tribes, different religions , there are even divisions within tribes as is found among the south-easterners. Until the south-south decides to unite and recognise herself as a singular entity, the yorubas will continue to mock us, the Igbos will continue to claim parts of our areas and the hausas will continually lord over us

^^^Pray, what 'part of your areas' are the Igbos claiming?

internetpirate:
In addition to that, all regions should be allowed to conduct their census, and population figures should not be the basis of representation at the central government! Each region should have equal representation!!

More so, this jaundiced constitution must be jettisoned and re-drafted to ensure democracy, equal representation and respect of our various individualities! Islam should be expunged from it completely!!!

^^^Goodluck with that!.....You'll need it!!

PDPmamapiss:
so Enugu citizens are enjoying more than Nigerians?
is Enugu most developed city in Nigeria? despite being one of the oldest cities in Nigeria history...

finally, how many Biafrans like to relocate to Enugu instead of usual Lagos, Benin, Asaba, Abuja, Ibadan, PH,Warri,kano, kaduna etc?...............

^^^Go find a strong rope and do the needful.....idiat!

Why does any hint of Igbos being happy about anything drive you into a rage!? And how is Chime being liked by his people any of your damned bizness!?

Trailblazer1:

I'd love to see a picture of Amaechi moving out for Wike

^^^I'd pay good money to see that one!

kgbd:
This is not just fair at all.....

^^^Bros, life itself isn't fair (ask PDP).....so just take heart and try to enjoy the change!

Ilekeh:
That small worm?

Naija boys dey fear.

^^^@Bolded: In your day, you must have shattered a lot of boys confidence with that singular remark!

FrancisTony:
Old man claiming 29years.
This guys isn't younger than 36years.

Happy birthday, Keita.

^^^He looks at least 40 in some of those pics!

Utter tosh!

ChiSun27:
Never knew frog is edible...

^^^You'd be surprised!.....If it's got a heartbeat, then it's edible as far as African man is concerned!!

He should offer him a cup of tea! That's the weapon of choice....never fails!

The flyover ain't even completed yet but they've already begun to deface it with unsightly posters!

Alphaoscar:
Pastor Osinbajo should stop laughing like that joor. that's a local man style of laughter and he should realize he is now the Vice President elect of this country.

^^^Hehehehe

LOL@ Local man laugh!

While Anambra is adding to workers pay, Kogi is slashing like there's no tomorrow!......Upon all the investment/business opportunities starring them in the face! If na to drag few marginal oil wells with Anambra now, na there dem go get action!