OLUWAJIMI . J . THORPE

  Hausa land, history and people yearning for freedom. Nigerians, 50 years old and above who attended Primary School in any part of what used to be Northern Nigeria, must have been taught during History lessons about the 7 Hausa States of Biram, Kano, Katsina, Daura, Gobir, Rano and Zaria as well as the 7 Banza Bakwai Kingdoms of Zamfara, Kebbi, Yauri, Gwari, Nupe, Kwararafa (Jukun) and Yoruba.   These Kingdoms were viable in virtually every aspect of human endeavour at that time. I should draw the readers attention to the meaning of the Hausa word ”Banza”. Banza, is a derogatory word which means worthless or anything that is of lower quality which clearly showed a marked distinction between the Hausa Bakwai and the Banza Bakwai Kingdoms. There may have been the pastoral or nomadic Fulani as part of the population in these Kingdoms but not much if anything was recorded in this respect. The Fulani got a mention when migrants from the general area of the Futa Djalon foothills an...

Hon. Captain Chari Maigumeri, 3rd Nigerian Regiment Chari from the Maiduguri District joined the Kaiser–lichen Shutztruppe fur Kamerun in 1913. He fought against us [Britain] in the Cameroons Campaign, where he won the Iron Cross for gallantry. Captured at the battle of Garua in 1915, he enlisted in the W.A.F.F. early in 1917 and served in East Africa during the latter part of the campaign. He was promoted sergeant in 1920, Company Sergeant-Major in 1924, and Regimental Sergeant-Major in 1928. All his service was spent in the 3rd Battalion the Nigeria Regiment. He was one of a representative detachment sent to London for the Jubilee of H.M. King George V and for the Coronation of H.M. King George VI in 1937. He served throughout the campaign in East Africa, 1940-1, being awarded the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry, particularly at the crossing of the River Omo. He accompanied the 3rd Battalion to Burma and was mentioned in despatches for his action during a night attack b...