Rakiya A. Muhammad
Given the immense contributions of legendary Nana Asmau, daughter of Shehu Usman Fodiyo, to society, stakeholders should set aside a day to commemorate her life and historical achievements.
Member Representing Bodinga /Dange Shuni/Tureta constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr Balarabe Shehu Kakale
Shuni made the assertation while reflecting on the works of Nana Asmau, an iconic African woman and a great mother of Sokoto Caliphate.
He described her as a princess, scholar, author, humanitarian, entrepreneur and a female mass literacy champion.
“Arguably the greatest female African intellectual of the 19th century,” he added.
“She authored more than 200 books, articles, poems, reviews and scripts. She ran an orphanage, a midwifery program and a women’s school program with morning, evening and night sessions for basic, secondary and tertiary education in Islamic jurisprudence, entrepreneurship, Islamic family and social values, peace and reconciliation, rights of women, children and minorities, etc.”
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Kakale added that Nana Asmau, a multi-linguist, speaking and writing in Arabic, Hausa, Fulfulde and Azben, was a senior counsel to at least three Sultans equivalent to a federal government minister in today’s governance structure.
“She was the symbol of women’s inclusion in governance in the 19th century Sokoto caliphate whence she was actively involved in matters of social and economic policies and programmes, as well as foreign policies of the Sokoto caliphate and their implementation,” the federal lawmaker from Sokoto, pointed out.
He also sheds light on the “Yan Taru” movement, which Nana Asmau established in the mid-19th century and is still active to date with its headquarters in Hubbaren Shehu of Sokoto state.
“‘YanTaru’ has a well-structured leadership layer throughout the federating units of the caliphate from the capital Sakkwato Birnin Shehu to all the Emirates and local villages/hamlet levels,” he explained.
“They are female students and mentees of the great scholar, learning Islamic studies, Arabic, Arithmetic, poems, communication skills, Entrepreneurship, Sanitation and personal hygiene, Mental health,
Family and Married life Islamic norms and values, women and children’s rights in Islam, peace and conflict resolution and female mass mobilisation and empowerment.”
The all-women movement has the Jaji as the leader, while other key members include Waziri, Shantali, Mai Taru, Zanzama, Zakara, Maji Dadi, Beru, Attuwo and Imamu.
Dr Kakale Shuni, who described himself as an ASMAWIAN, also noted that Nana Asmau as the great grandmother of all the WAZIRIS of Sokoto, the dutiful wife of WAZIRI GIDADO LEMA, one of the founding leaders of the caliphate, a great Scholar, Vizier to Sultan Muhammadu Bello and the grand patriarch of the GIDADAWA DYNASTY.
On the International Women’s Day, he acknowledged the contributions of Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal’s wives, and women in various sectors of the state, to development.
