The Beam: Journal of Arts & Science, Vol. 9, (2016) ISSN: 1118-5953 1
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The Beam: Journal of Arts & Science, Vol. 9, (2016) ISSN: 1118-5953 POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION OF SOKOTO STATE 1976-2015 Nasiru Haruna and Bello Mohammed Department Of General Studies Umaru Ali Shinkafi Polytechnic Sokoto [email protected] ABSTRACT History is a cyclic poem written by time upon the memories of man (Byshe, 1814). Sokoto was established by Sultan Mohammed Bello to serve as Administrative Headquarters in 1804. The availability of water and the fertile valley of the Sokoto Rima are some of the factors that influenced the settlement of Jihad leaders in the choice of Sokoto as the capital of the Caliphate. This paper examines the historical development and transformation of Sokoto Metropolis from 1976 up-to 2015. The focus will be on major social, political and economic changes that took place within the period of the study in Sokoto State. The economic activities of Sokoto people is mainly agriculture which is the major backbone of every economy in the world, the people of Sokoto specializes in both dry and wet season farming which at the end of the year, food and cash crops are been cultivated. The 1960s and 70s was the period in which the modern industries began in Sokoto i.e. Government Experimental Tannery, Zamfara Textile Factory (ZAMTEX), Cement Company of Northern Nigeria (CCNN) and Sokoto Leather Industry (SOKTAN). Those were among the earlier manufacturing industries established in Sokoto. The paper discusses the contemporary history of Sokoto State. 1. INTRODUCTION Sokoto is located at about eight kilometers northeast of confluence of the Rima and Sokoto Rivers. Rima River Basin which lies between parallels 10o and 14oN of the equator and longitudes meridian has an area of about 102,500 square kilometers. It is situated within the Guinea and Sudan Savannah Zone. The environmental features of the Rima Basin and Rima River system provide surface water, these are some of the reasons for conducive environment that give a greater advantage for human economic activities. Sokoto City, the headquarters of Sokoto State is at the north-west region of Nigeria, the history of the city has been traced to the 19th century Islamic movement which led to the establishment of the Islamic state known as Sokoto Caliphate. The Caliphate was brought under the British colonial rule in March 1903, during the reign of Sultan Attahiru I who was forced to flee with many of his supporters to Burmi in Gombe State. The British Colonial regime transformed the defunct Caliphate into new administrative area called the Sokoto Province, and Sokoto became the Administrative Capital of Sokoto province. The paper, political and economic transformation of Sokoto State analyses the contemporary history of Sokoto State, since the creation in 1976 to 2015; the period in which the state experienced changes in all aspect of developments. 2. POLITICAL TRANSFORMATION OF SOKOTO STATE SINCE 1976 Following the conquest of Nigeria by the British, the territories of the defunct Sokoto Caliphate were Balkanized into Provinces, which were grouped to form the Northern Region of Nigeria. One of the Provinces was Sokoto Province, Niger Province was another. By 1960 when Nigeria became independent, the country was divided into three regions, Northern, Eastern and Western Regions. In 1963, the Mid-West Region was created out of the Western Region. Details on the colonial conquests of Nigeria and its subsequent divisions have been documented by Michael Crowder, P. K. Tibendrana, etc. In 1967 the four Region-structure of Nigeria was abolished and twelve States structure were created in its place. Among the States was a merger of Sokoto Province and Niger Province to form the North-Western State, with its capital at Sokoto. In February 1976, the number of States in Nigeria was increased to nineteen (19). In this new development the former North Western State became Sokoto and Niger States. Sokoto State in 1976 was made up of Anka, Argungu, Bagudo, Birnin Kebbi, Bodinga, Bunza, Gummi, Gusau, Gwadabawa, Isa, Jega, Kaura-Namoda, Silame, Sokoto, Talata Mafara, Wurno, Yabo, Yauri and Zuru. Further to the above nineteen LGAs, in 1981, the civilian Administration in the State created additional 13 LGAs, thereby making the total number of LGAs to be 32. The Military regime that took over power from the civilians on 31st December 1983 cancelled the 13 additional Local Governments on the grounds that the financial burden was too heavy on the coffers of the State Government. Indeed, they did so to all such additional Local Governments in the country. With a change in policy by the Military junta that came into power in 1985, additional Local Governments were once again created in the country in 1989. Sokoto State was divided into 37 Local Government Areas. These 37 Local Governments were located in Sokoto State, Argungu Emirate, Gwandu Emirate, Yauri Emirate and 1 Umaru Ali Shinkafi Polytechnic Sokoto, Nigeria The Beam: Journal of Arts & Science, Vol. 9, (2016) ISSN: 1118-5953 Zuru Emirate. In 1991, Argungu Emirate, Gwandu Emirate, Yauri Emirate and Zuru Emirate were excised from Sokoto State and made to constitute a new State called Kebbi State. Sokoto State was thus reduced to the territorial bounds of Sokoto State. In 1996, Zamfara State was carved out of the then Sokoto State. So, as from 1996, Sokoto State was just half of the former Sokoto State, and was about one-third of the Sokoto State of 1976. It retains this reduced size up to the present. Sokoto State is one of the 36 States in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In 2006, according to the National Population Commission (NPC), Sokoto State had a population of 3,696,999 people. The State had a land mass of 26,827.43 square kilometers and a population density of 97.7 person per square kilometer. That makes it the 10th State with the lowest population density. The relatively high population, and at the same time the low population density of the State, were good assets in the social, economic and political development of the area, especially if the population is educated and productive, and if the land is good for agriculture. The State currently has 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) that includes: Binji, Bodinga, Dange Shuni, Gada, Goronyo, Gwaddabawa, Gudu, Isa, Illela, Kebbe, Kware, Rabah, Sabon Birni, Shagari, Silame, Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Tambuwal, Tangaza, Tureta, Wamakko, Wurno and Yabo. Headquarters is based in Sokoto town, the capital of the erstwhile Sokoto Caliphate as indicated above. Agriculture has been the mainstay of the people in the State. It is the largest employer of labour in the State, with over 80 per cent of the population engaged in both wet and dry season farming activities. 3. THE SOCIAL CHANGES OF SOKOTO STATE The people of Sokoto are predominantly populated by the Hausa people who are farmers and traders as well as fishermen. The Hausa people included Gobirawa, Zamfarawa, Katsinawa, Adarawa, Kabawa, Barebari, and the likes. Many of them were resident and itinerant traders involved in short and long distance trade, search of knowledge, etc. throughout their history. Others were producers and manufacturers involved in various crafts and industries, such as blacksmithing, weaving, leather working, dyeing etc. There were also other ethnic groups that, as a result of their interaction with the Hausa people have absorbed aspects of the Hausa culture. Such people included the Kambari, Shangawa, Bangawa, Fakkawa, Dukkawa, Dakarkari and Achifawa. All of them are now in Kebbi State. Many of them involved themselves in the above trades including fishing and livestock production apart from their traditional agricultural practices. There were also some Fulani people who were predominantly livestock keepers both as resident rearers and as pastoralists. The resident ones did some farming. In fact, the peoples of the State right from the time immemorial were hardworking and enterprising doing all sorts of economic activities to survive, develop and prosper. The people of the Caliphate cut across all ethnic and linguistic groups in what became known as northern Nigeria. The Caliphate flourished for a century (99 years) achieving most of what the founders set out to do. However, during the long period of its existence, the Caliphate faced some internal and external forces that threatened its sovereignty almost to its very foundation. There is no need to go into the aims, details Caliphate here because the history of the Jihad, the establishment of the Caliphate, its administration as well as its demise have been adequately covered by several scholars. Islam remains the major religion of Sokoto people since the establishment of the city by Sultan Muhammadu Bello in 1804 and it continued to be the foundation of the city. The culture of the people has always been governed by the Islamic religious ethics. Tolerance has always been the way of life of the people. All other aspects of life were shaped by the religion of the majority in the State. Sokoto town has always been the seat of governance since 1809 when the Caliphate was established. Right from its creation Sokoto State had been one of the most peaceful States in Nigeria. 4. ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION OF SOKOTO STATE Most societies of the world have, throughout history, regarded agriculture as a prime mover of development. It is by far the most important source of livelihood and a major creator of wealth throughout the Sokoto area, and indeed elsewhere. In Hausa land, the farm, where most of the agricultural activities have been taking place is referred to as the bank. It is the common man's bank. It is where the common man "deposits" and "withdraws" for his daily survival and prosperity. Another Hausa popular saying has it that, a farmer is a servant in the wet season but wealthy during the dry season.