Salute to hero: Kaigama of Daura Ja’afar Tukur Gidado

The title of Kaigama which means Chief of Defence Staff is by no means historical as it dates back to the 14th Century Borno Empire and the 19th Century Adamawa Kingdom where the holder was among the 12 king makers.Though it is a herculean task enumerating the qualities of the new Kaigaman Daura, Alhaji Gidado, […]

The title of Kaigama which means Chief of Defence Staff is by no means historical as it dates back to the 14th Century Borno Empire and the 19th Century Adamawa Kingdom where the holder was among the 12 king makers.
Though it is a herculean task enumerating the qualities of the new Kaigaman Daura, Alhaji Gidado, he can be simply described as an erudite and versatile Customs officer, administrator, technocrat, disciplinarian,   philanthropist, mentor and above all a religious man with humble background.
Alhaji Gidado was born on February 15, 1959 in Radevillage in Rijiyar Tsamiya District of Sandamu Local Government Area of Katsina State. He is the son of late Alkali Tukur Gidado and late Hajiya Fatima Tamani as well as the third of the 20 children of the humble but famous Gidado family of Daura. The Kaigaman Daura started his educational pursuit at a tender age with Islamic schooling under the strict tutelage of his father Malam Tukur Gidado. At the age of seven he was enrolled into the Tsabu Primary School in Maiaduwa Local Government Area of Katsina State between 1964 and 1970 and after successful completion of his primary education and due to his excellent performance, the Kaigaman Daura was lucky to be among the successful students from the Daura Emirate to be enrolled into the prestigious Government College, Kaduna popularly shortened as GCK from 1971 to 1975.
 Immediately after gaining his West African School Certificate in 1975 from the Government College, Kaduna, Alhaji Gidado became among the successful Northerners to be given admission into the famous Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1976 where he successfully graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History.
After graduation from the university, the Kaigaman Daura was posted to the then Gongola State to serve his one year mandatory NYSC scheme in the present Yola which was the old capital of the state. It was during his NYSC service in Yola now Adamawa State that Alhaji Gidado became acquainted and curiously interested in the traditional title of the Kaigama. Hence to him it is now a dream come true as he is turbaned as the Kaigama of Daura Emirate.
Through his numerous philanthropic activities and socio-economic developments of many societies, the Kaigaman Daura was cherished and recognised in many parts of Nigeria including conferring on him the prestigious traditional title of Sarkin Yakin Wailare in Makoda Local Government Area of Kano State. Under the able leadership of Alhaji Gidado, the association was fully registered and established in nearly all the Local Government Areas of Lagos State. In fact, most of the Hausa communities in Lagos benefitted from its activities under leadership of the Kaigaman Daura.
The Emir of Daura Alhaji (Dr.) Umar Faruk Umar through the esteemed Emirate Council, having been immensely impressed by the contributions of Alhaji Gidado towards the development of Daura Emirate decided to reward him with the highly revered traditional title of Kaigaman Daura. AlhajiJa’afar Tukur Gidado is happily married to Hajiya BintaJa’afar Gidado and they are blessed with eight children and grandchildren.   
Alhaji Sani Kabir writes from Daura