….How late district head was turbaned by Suleja emirate council
By Sadiq Abubakar, Abuja
Prince Ishaku Mohammadu Garba, the eldest son of the late district head of Ushafa in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, HRH Alhaji Muhammadu Baba Kwanga said there are many legacies of his late father left behind that will continue to foster peace and unity among the people of the chiefdom.
Our correspondent learnt that the late district head Baba Kwanga, who died at the age of 116 years last week, and ascended to the throne on February, 10, 1970, in which he was turbaned by the Suleja emirate council under leadership of the late Suleiman Barau.
Speaking with newsmen during seventh days Firdaus prayer of the late district head on Saturday, the eldest son, Prince Garba described his late father as a trustworthy, selflessness, faithfulness and obedient someone.
He said he will miss his father’s advice, saying his late father had always advised him and other younger one’s to continue to be courageous in their religion and hardworking so that they will become self- reliance.
Prince Garba, who is a retired civil servant said his late father was married to six wives but with only one survival and 19 children as well as 42 grand children.
According to him, his late father remained the oldest and longest traditional ruler among all the chiefs including the graded chiefs in FCT, saying the his father was the first indigenous chairman of traditional chiefs in FCT in 1980 with the late chief of Karshi Abdulkadir Mohammed as secretary then.
Also speaking, the chairman of Ushafa community, Eng Ayuba Diko Alaye, said the late district head was a big access to Ushafa community, saying the deceased was the custodian of Gbagyi culture and traditions in Bwari area council and FCT at large.
He said one of the major legacies the late district head left behind was his constant preaching on unity and peaceful -coexistence irrespective of tribal, ethnic or religious affiliations.
“The late district head had always been preaching for peace and unity because the moment there is no and unity, there cannot be development, which had been one of his main legacies he left behind,” he said.
He said the Ushafa community has witnessed a lot of transformation under the leadership of the late district head, saying several graduates were employed into both government institutions and private organizations.
“And I want to tell you that the first lawyer and medical doctor in entire Bwari area council is from Ushafa community, which is a pride to us,” he added.
He, however, recalled how majority of the past chiefs that ruled Ushafa were adherent of traditional religion except the late district head who was a Muslim.
He also said that Ushafa community is blessed with varied mineral resources such as abundant clay deposits within the district, which he said has encouraged a pottery industry to emerge where pots are made for years using African traditional method.
“While other minerals includes Gold, Fields para, sands, columbite, Tantalite and Quarts. And if these are harnessed at tapped, it will be among major resource of income to FCT and the nation,” he said.
The community leader also disclosed how the late district head has brought a lot of achievements under his reign, saying the district head before his accession on throne had no higher tertiary institution.
Eng Alaye, said Ushafa community had among other things produced four members among the 20-man committee that struggled for the creation of Bwari area council that came into existence on October, 1, 1996.
Our reporter learnt among dignitaries that attended the seven days prayers of the deceased included minister of special duties, Zaphaniya Jisalo, Abaji and Bwari area council chairmen, Abubakar Umar Abdullahi and John Gabaya, Sarkin Bwari and Esu of Bwari, mandate secretaries for area councils and youths among others.
