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Kano Wall: Case for restoration II

by
Yusuf Adamu
Geography Department, Bayero University, Kano.
(yusufadamu2000@yahoo.com)
http://www.kanoonline.com/yusufadamu/
Kano, Nigeria
© 2001

This article was published in the Triumph, it was the second in the series of my campaign about SAVING CITY WALL by Yusuf Adamu

“I have never seen, or imagined, anything like this in Africa” Lugard’s Tribute to Kano Walls

Some few months after my first article on the restoration of Kano Walls was published by the Kano State owned newspaper The Triumph and the Kano based Nigerian Outlook Magazine, I still have another cause to worry. In my earlier article, I cited Kofar Kabuga-Kofar Duka-wuya axis as been colonized by new commercial buildings covering the Badala, now, Kofar Nassarawa-Sabuwar Kofa axis is also taken over by motor-parks and other commercial buildings.

I wonder whether the Agency making these allocations is aware of the importance and significance of the historic monuments they are relegating. I also wonder whether the National Commission for Museums and Monuments in Kano is alive to its responsibilities. More often I wonder how the Emirate Council is feeling, seeing its heritage degenerating. Perhaps I am only wasting my time and energy fighting a lost battle.

At a point I felt like abandoning the crusade of restoring the Badala but just yesterday (June 15, 2000), I bought a book titled The History of the Royal West African Frontier Force by Colonel A. Haywood and Brigadier F.A. S. Clarke first published in 1964. As I was browsing through I came across a statement made by Lord Lugard, the Governor General of Nigeria, which he wrote in his report of 1903 about Kano Walls as follows “…The force reached Kano, where the extent and formidable nature of fortifications surpassed the best-informed anticipation of our officers. Needless to say, I have never seen, or imagined, anything like this in Africa. (Emphasis mine) The wall was 11 miles in perimeter, with 13 gates, all newly built. Subsequent measurement at several points by the Public Works Department proved the walls to be from 30 to 50 ft. high and about 40ft. thick at the base, with a double ditch in front” The statement above made me feel ashamed. If in 1903, a British conqueror with all his mentality of Africa being a dark, primitive and backward continent could be overwhelmed by our ancestors achievement, why should we today a hundred years after feel ashamed to restore it?

I then gather more courage to continue to make noise about this great historical monument in Hausa land. I know that restoring the Badala is a possibility, but it is equally a hard, tedious and great task needing not only resources, but also willpower to carry it out. In view of this, I wish to advise those agencies that allocate lands on or in front of the great wall to also take the responsibility of making their clients to start restoring the Badala. What I mean here is that all those people who selfishly take land covering the wall, from Gidan Murtala to Kofar Kabuga be asked to re-erect the part of the wall they covered. With this the actual restoration work will begin. I am aware that this axis is not the only axis abused, it is only used as an example and because it represent the best area of the Badala still standing.

Secondly, I am suggesting to the National Commission for Museums and Monuments in Kano and the Kano Emirate Council with the support of the Kano State History and Culture Bureau to start an aggressive sensitization campaign on the restoration of the ancient Kano Wall. Thirdly, these bodies should organize a committee to look at the possible and practicable ways of doing the work of restoration. This, am sure will go a long way in helping the Restored Badala to be true. I shall write again. Insha Allah!

Brought to you by Kano Online 2001