Johnkennedy Uzoma, Owerri
A leader of the Hausa community in Imo State, Alhaji Bello Gada, has said that his people have lived for 140 years in the state and without any trouble between them and the host community.
The Wakili of Hausa told newsmen, in Owerri, recently that some of their forefathers moved all the way from Kano in 1880 when Nigerian nation was under regions and settled at Akabo in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State.
He said before relocating to settle at Njemanze Street, in Owerri, the Hausas had intermarried with the daughter of the traditional ruler of Akabo community which is an indication their stay at Akabo was peaceful.
He said that their forefathers left Akabo to Owerri not because they had any issue with the host community, but because of persistent complaints concerning the method of their prayers coming from the indigenes of the area after which the traditional ruler decided to send them to Owerri.
At Njemanze Street, in Owerri, the Hausa leader pointed out that his people also spent a good time with the traditional ruler of Owerri, HRH Eze Njemanze, and the people before moving to their present site at Ama Hausa which was dangerous and busy with wild animals living inside when they moved into the place.
Within the period of settlement according to him, most of the Northerners became hunters which afforded them the opportunity to ‘conquer’ the bush and settle down peacefully from that time till date.
He said that since their settlement at Ama Hausa which spread down to Edede and to Waterside, the Eze Njemanze usually visits them to know how they are faring.
He said that from that period till now, the population of Northerners in the state has increased in large numbers.
The Hausa leader expressed joy that 140 years down the line, the Hausas living in the state have continued to demonstrate love and friendship and above all have lived in peace devoid of any trouble between them and their host community Imo State.
Alhaji Gada who said that he is proud of the people of the state for their spirit of accommodation and sense of belonging accorded to them, while assuring their commitment and contribution to the success of the state.
Speaking on Sallah celebration, the Wakili of Hausa thanked the people of the state for celebrating with then describing the event as a great one.
He extolled the maturity and sagacity of the Sarkin Hausa of Imo State, Alhaji Auwalu Baba Saidu Sulaiman, which has helped him to rule the Hausa community in the state.
He said that the Sarkin, who is generally acceptable to the entire Hausa community in Imo state has, in the course of his position, remained the best Sarkin of Hausa in the state.
