Katsina; Land of the Greats

Katsina (home of heritage and hospitality) katsinawa; are people with meekly character but unafraid and an indomitable ones. One of them, who feel from the success that the enterprise has already been crowned with that superiority, intelligence, humanity and justice may be styled characteristic of the citizens of Katsina, it acquires the reputations, the status of a prestige symbol, since not now in the development of this country. A distinguished state with ring-flood of peace, Katsina is the breeding ground of national leadership. It was the hatchery where some of the most renowned and revered sons of Nigeria are hatched later in life become touch bearers of the nation.

Some Unique Chattels of Katsina; An Indelible Mark in History;

Nigerian history was incomplete without them,

The only state in Nigeria that produced president three times and two elected presidents that are; late Umar MusaYar’adua and incumbent one Muhammad Buhari. And, General Shehu Musa Yaradua was become Deputy President during military regime of Obasanjo, and he was the youngest Nigerian to held the rank of chief of staff supreme headquarter.

It is Katsina state that produced the only Military Governor of the then northern region Late Major General Hassan Usman Katsina.

Till now Katsina state is the only state that produced two IGPs, MD Yusuf and Ibrahim Commassie, with three DG of SSS that are; Bello lafiyaji, lateAmb Muhammad Lawal and Lawal Daura.

Katsina produced the first Chartered accountant in the northern region that is Late Hamza Zayyad.

Katsina state produced first Veterinary Doctor in Nigeria that is late Dr. Abu Mawashi.

Katsina State produced the first Medical Doctor in northern region who combine both being a pharmacist and physician and also among the few Nigerians to do so. That was Dr. Muhammad Tukur.

The first female Medical Doctor in northern region was from Katsina state that is Dr. Halima Adamu.

First northerner to become Principal of Barewa College (engine room for development of Nigeria) after leaving of white people was from Katsina state that is Ishaq Nuhu Batagarawa.

The youngest Nigerian to be appointed as Ambassador that was late Ambassador Iro Ladan Baki was sent to Hague, Netherland. Was from katsina

Early lawyers in northern region comes from Katsina Justice Muhammad Bello the first northerner to become Chief Judge Of The Federation then two Presidents of Court of appeal that are Justice MammanNasir“first Indigenous Regional Minister of Justice” and Justice Umar Abdullahi.

First Engineer in northern region comes from Katsina that is Engr. Armaya’u Katsina. Saying goes not only in north in whole nation but this is another debate.

Katsina produced the first Permanent Secretary to the federal Government of Nigeria Alh Ahmadu Kumasi. Some authors argue on that but nevertheless even though in north.

Sarki Muhammad Dikko first class northern emir a linguistic, only emir around 1906 who spoke both Arabic and English, First northern emir to perform pilgrimage on his throne.

Emir of Katsina Sir UsmanNagogo was the first Nigerian emir to be appointed as a Federal Minister without portpolio. And the ever Nigerian polo player with + 7 handicapped till now no one dare to be.

First Nigerian to be appointed as Minister of Establishment, Nigerianisation and Training that’s late Musa Yaradua later become Minister of Lagos affairs.

Another some personalities that Katsina produced; who served the nation with their utmost ability, contributed immensely for erecting what nowadays call Nigeria. Proud sons of Katsina always shine as leading light in different field of endeavors;

Rt. Hon Aminu Bello Masari former Speaker house of representatives and current Governor of katsina state.

CGC. Muhammad Dikko AbdullahiInde former Comptroller General of custom.

Sen. Muhammad Tukur Liman former Assistant comptroller General of custom and senate leader.

Abba Musa Rimi former Governor of Kaduna state.

Alh. Lawal Kaita former Governor of Kaduna state.

Alh. Abubakar Gidado former Deputy Governor of Kaduna state.

Alh. Saidu Barda first civilian Governor of Katsina state

Col. Umar Faruk Ahmad former Military Governor of Kaduna state and Cross river state.

Brigadier Ahmad Daku former Military Governor of Kano state and Sokoto state.

Col. Abdulmumini Aminu former Military Governor of old Borno state.

Cp. Habu Daura former AIG, Military Governor of Bayelsa state.

AIG Sani Ahmad Daura former first Military Governor of Yobe state. 

AIG. Dabo Aliyu former Military Governor of Yobe state.

Maj. Gen. Amadi Rimi (a pharmacist and Army) former DG of Nigerian Army Medical Corp and one time Commanding officer of 44 armed forces hospital Kaduna.

Maj. Gen. Abba Abdulqadir former MD Nigerian security printing and minting company.

Air Vice Marshall Suleiman Dambo

Col. Ilyasu Wali former chief imam of Nigerian armed forces.

Brig. Gen. Maharazu Isma’il Tsiga former DG NYSC.

Lt. Col. Sagir Musa former P.R.O OF Nigerian Army, JTF commandant and also founder of civilian JTF in Maiduguri.

Brigadier General Rabe Abubakar former Director of Defense Information of Nigerian Army.

Capt. Yakubu Muhammad first Bakatsine to become pilot.

Saminu Daura former DIG of police.

Danlami Yaradua former DIG of police.

Alh. Umar Suleiman Maiwada former AIG of police.

Aminu Malumfashi former AIG of police.

Ibrahim Muhammad former AIG of police.

A.k Hassan former DCM (Deputy Corps Marshall) of Road safety.

Hamisu Haruna former DCM of FRSC

Alh Bello Kofar Bai former Chairman NDLEA.

Engineer Kabir Abdullahi Barkiya former DG of FERMA.

Alh. Umar Mutallab former MD UBA and currently Chairman of jaiz bank.

Alh. Yusuf Isiyaku former Deputy MD UBA.

Alh. Mahe Rasheed former Deputy Governor CBN.

Alh. Lamis Shehu Dikko former MD of old INTERCITY BANK.

Arch. Ahmad Musa Dangiwa. DG Mortgage Bank (in office)

Comrade Aliyu Musa Dangiwa former NLC Secretary General.

Dr. Dikko Suleiman (senior) former National Chairman SUBEB.

Alh, Abubakar Lawal Yaradua former GMD NNPC.

Dr. Muttaqa Rabe Darma former E.S PTDF.

Alh. Mukhtar Bello former MD Nigerian security printing and minting company and also former MD Nigerian Grains Board.

Alh. Muhammad Tukur former MD and chief executive officer of Nigerian Airways.

Alh. Halliru Abdullahi Kafur former MD Nigerian port Authority. A current one also from katsina (Mrs. Hadiza Bala Usman).

Alh. Aminu Zayyad former D.A of NBTE.

Mal. Abubakar Muhammad former DG of NDE (only Nigerian that serve as DG of the board for two consecutive terms 8ys).

Alh. Lema Jibril former MD of Nigerian Agricultural Bank Limited and founder of LEMACO GROUP a company that conglomerate 19 private companies.

Alh. Garba Muhammad Bawa former MD of Nigrian Agricultural Cooperative Bank.

Alh. Tukur Ahmad Jikamshi former MD of Tarpaulin Industry LTD Lagos and one time Deputy Governor of Katsina state.

Alh. Bilya Sanda former MD National Supply and Distribution Agency.

Dr. Salihu Malli Mustapha former Chief Pharmacist of Northern Nigeria.

(Dr.) Ahmad Aliyu Kurfi former permanent secretary Ministry of Depence around 1960s who fought to accept and implement quota system of 50:25:25 in recruiting Nigerian Army where (50% from North, other 50% shared in south)

Alh M.T Usman former Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Works (who came up with the idea of having Dams in any bridge of Nigerian high ways).

Alh. Fatihu Abdullahi founder of HINACHE COMMUNITY BANK LIMITED and BETO GINNING COMPANY LIMITED.

Alh. Dahiru Barau Mangal founder of AFDIN CONSTRUCTION and MAX AIRLINE NIG LTD.

Engr. Lawal Garba Funtua ,The first Graduate of Q and S in the whole world to work and set up a cost control Unit in a bank, happens in 1980s, and founder of the biggest crude oil pre-shipment company in Nigeria. TROBELL INTERNATIONAL NIGERIAN LIMITED proudly ex-student of A.B.U Zaria, if you have any doubt on that, contact my email. Engr. Is still alive.

Mal. Samaila Isa Funtua founder of BULET INTERNATIONAL LIMITED a largest indigenous construction company and also a former minister of Agric to the federation.

Alh. Isa Kaita former regional minister of education and chairman committee of establishing Ahmadu Bello University Zaria.

Mamman Bashar former minister of LG and Economic affairs.

Alh. Shehu Sarkin Maska former regional minister of Internal Affairs.

Iro Danmusa former minister of FCT

Sani Zangon Daura former Minister of Agric

Dr. Abba Sayyadi Ruma former Minister of Education, Agriculture and water resources.

Engr. Sule U/Alkali former minister for state and Local Government Affairs.

Sen. Samaila Mamman Kurfi former minister for Trade, Agriculture and water resources.

(Dr.) Garba Ja Abdulaqadir former Minister of Agriculture and First SSG of North central state.

Alh. Wada Nas former Minister of communication.

Alh. Kabir Saidu former minister of environment.

Alh. Lawal Batagarawa former minister of Defence and water resources.

Arch Musa Sada former minister of mine and Mineral resources.

Ambassador Zakari Ibrahim former Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador. Magaji Muhammad former minister of industries and Internal Affairs.

Ambassador Tanimu Adamu Saulawa.

Ambassador Yusuf Sada.

Ambassador Sani Bala.

Ambassador Adamu Saidu.

Ambassador Babangida Karaduwa.

Ambassador Mamman Daura.

Ambassador Ibrahim Bindawa.

Ambassador Musa Musawa.

Ambassador Abdullahi Garba Aminchi.

Ambassador Ibrahim Karfi.

Ambassador Tukur Mani.

Dr. Yusuf Bala Usman critic historian. Author of “for the liberation of Nigeria” and other numerous book of Nigerian history and Africa.

Dr. Abubakar Imam Author of “Magana Jarice and RuwanBagaja” among others

Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha former V.C A.B.U zaria.

Prof. Danjuma Maiwada former V.C B.U.K, Kano.

Prof. Abdulmumini Hassan former V.C Federal University Lokoja.

Prof. Mu’utassim Ibrahim Batagarawa former V.C UMYUK, Katsina and also a first resident Medical Doctor in A.B.U Teaching Hospital to complete the residency programme in less than 5yrs. On Paediatrics.

Prof. Bello Muhammad Daura.

Prof. Haruna Yusuf (Mathematician professor).

Hajiya Hassu Iro Inko former chief education officer (women) of the federation.

Hajiya Halima Ahmad Funtua Executive secretary ECOWAS.

Sheikh Jafaru Ibn Jarrahu Katsina (Renowned African Islamic Scholar Sufism Disciple of Tijjaniyya befriend famous African-world Recognized vocal Scholar Ibrahim Inyass of Senegal.)

Sheikh Jafar Muhamud Adam (salafist Islamic Scholar aligned with Izala sect).

Alaramma Ahmad Suleiman, was born in Kakumi, Bakori LGA,katsina later he claimed himself as from Kano.

Tajudeen Abdulraheem, Pan Africanist, oxford University rhode scholar former Deputy Director of United Nation millennium campaigne in Africa.

Alh. (Dr.) Mamman Shata super song-bird of the nation.

Haj. Saadatu Barmani Choge griot women Singer, super song-stress of the nation.

I cannot mention all eminent sons’ of Katsina but these are the zenith of my discovery. My Dear Katsinawa this write-up exclude the current sons of Katsina that are still Blazing in the affairs of our nation, contributing immensely in different sector for the development of this nation, few among them appear but it is condition that brings them. My dear Katsinawa remain cocky because being Bakatsine is a great privilege, unknown gift from God and to be associated with Katsinawa was at once blessing and an honor. Because Katsinawa’s were born to be superiors, Long live land of my forefathers, Land of my parents and land of my children for ever brimming with glory.