The Kano of an Igbo man’s dreams

It is a seven chapter book that explores the cosmopolitan nature of Kano and how the present governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau has been able to integrate the Igbo race into the administration of the ancient city.Intricately woven in this history is why Kano has drawn in hundreds of thousands of Igbo people since the construction […]

It is a seven chapter book that explores the cosmopolitan nature of Kano and how the present governor, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau has been able to integrate the Igbo race into the administration of the ancient city.
Intricately woven in this history is why Kano has drawn in hundreds of thousands of Igbo people since the construction of the Makurdi Bridge in the 1930s.
The book opens with a memorable quote from the former governor of Enugu State, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani: “Kano is a lure, an attraction and a compelling invitation to a trip in history. It is a remainder of the greatness of our country, both in its vast material and abundant human resources. It is a pointer to the diffusion of entrepreneurial potential of every part of Nigeria and indeed among every community of Nigerians.”
The author tries to recount the history of Kano state and its people but admits that “the history of Kano and its people is based on oral tradition and is therefore speculative.”
Another attempt at recounting the history of the Igbo people ends up in romanticizing and adoring the race, who he claims has been targets of attacks in religious crisis in the country.
“Now, it is almost a given fashion in Nigeria that whatever the conflict maybe and whatever are the issues and whether or not the Igbo man was the initial target, whether or not he was the intended target, he ends up being the victim. It is often argued that as a trader, his wealth is on display in his goods, thus making him the easy object of communal envy and hatred.”
“…But even as recently as the Nigerian civil war (1967-1970), conceptions, and therefore, understanding of the Igbo people were still scanty as the true origin, identity and history of this heavily populous and undeniably influential tribe appeared ironically very scanty on the global literature.”
The author however, establishes that Nri-Akwa in the present Orlu senatorial zone of the South-East Nigeria is the  navel of Igbo origin.
The Igbos of Kano migrated to the ancient city, which has become a melting pot for commercial activities, for trade in palm oil and later, textile. From trade, the Igbo ventured into  the administration of the state, when Chief J.B Egbe, from Delta State was made the Wakilin Waje Sabon Gari in 1963.
Then Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau takes centre stage. The author, in flowery language, extols the inter-community relations of the governor, pointing out that appointing an Igbo man, Mr Chukwubuzor Azuka, as an Adviser in Shekarau’s government is a mark of total integration of the Igbo community in Kano.
The governor attending a Pentecostal Revival in 2009 marked “a watershed in the struggle to restore peace and harmony among Muslims and Christians living in the state,” the author said.
One thing that is discouraging about books of this nature is the distortion and misrepresentation of facts in order to massage the image of politicians. This robs the readers of the opportunity, especially those who have not had the opportunity to meet these leaders one on one before to know who truly their leaders are.
“Many of his friends and school mates were unanimous in their testimonies that he is not given to telling lies right from his tender years, insisting that he would always chastise those who were in the habit of lying, no matter the excuse. He was rather too faithful to his words, such that, till date, when he makes a commitment, he goes the extra mile to fulfill it, even if it involves being disadvantaged by the situation by  so doing.”
Such praise-singing is a recurring motif that runs through the book. So, what would have been a must read for every lover of books turns out to be an epic for a hero that has no character flaw.