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Tourism: Stakeholders seek upgrade of Tafawa Balewa’s tomb

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Tourism: Stakeholders seek upgrade of Tafawa Balewa’s tomb

Tourism: Stakeholders seek upgrade of Tafawa Balewa’s tomb

Stakeholders in the tourism sector have advocated the upgrade of the tomb of Nigeria’s sole Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa to attract more visitors.

Some of the stakeholders who spoke in Bauchi said the mausoleum needed total rehabilitation in line with international standards, to make it more attractive to visitors.

Balewa’s tomb is one of the monuments, heavily patronised by tourists in Bauchi State.

It was declared a national monument on Aug. 29, 1979, by the then military administration.

The construction of the tomb and the building enclosing the grave began in 1977 and was inaugurated in July 1979.

Within the enclosure are a reference library, gallery, mosque and grave of the former Nigerian leader, often referred to as the Golden Voice of Africa.

Balewa was born in December 1912 in Bauchi, and started his education at a Qur’anic school in Bauchi town and later attended Katsina College, now (Barewa College).

On completion of his secondary education in 1933, he returned home and started teaching at the Bauchi Middle School where he rose to the position of headmaster in 1941.

In 1944, Balewa went to the University of London’s Institute of Education, and on his return, he was appointed Inspector of Schools.

His political sojourn started in 1946 when he was elected to the Northern Nigeria House of Assembly, and in 1951 elected as the Vice President of the Northern People’s Congress (NPC).

The party nominated Balewa to Lagos as a Member of Parliament in 1952. He was appointed Minister of Works and Transport in the same year.

In 1957 the NPC won the election with the majority of the MPs and Balewa was elected as Prime Minister.

At independence in 1960, Balewa became the Prime Minister of independent Nigeria and was re-elected in 1964. He was killed alongside other prominent Nigerian leaders during the Jan. 15, 1966 coup. 

Mr Mukhtar Baba, a librarian at the mausoleum, said the library and gallery are prone to flooding that submerged the facility during the rainy season due lack of drains.

He said the construction of drains and remedial projects would check perennial flooding in the facility.

The librarian called for the provision of modern gadgets to digitise its operations.

“Provision of IT equipment will transform our operation from analogue to digital which is obtainable across the globe.

“Through digital applications photos and other personal belonging of the late prime minister could be showcased on TV screens and other IT appliances.

“This is imperative to ensure safe keeping and preserve the quality of the items,” he said.

He said it would also enhance awareness creation to educate the people on the facility so as to attract more visitors.

Mohammed Akuyam, a senior tour guide at the tomb, said the edifice was designed to reflect the simple life Balewa lived.

Akuyam said the “darkness greeting visitors’’ at the entrance to the tomb signifies the hardship encountered by Balewa and his colleagues in the struggle to gain independence from the British colonial administration.

He said the light shining through a thin window by the right-hand side after the first darkness, represents rays of hope for the nation to be freed from the colonial administration.

“The second darkness on the corridor to the tomb signifies struggle continues for Nigeria’s independence, while the full brightness illuminating the tomb’s courtyard signifies attainment of Nigeria’s independence in 1960,” he said.

The intercessions on the pathways to the grave reflect the crises and civil disorder that greeted Balewa’s assassination.

On the rough staircase leading to the tomb, Akuyam said, signifies hardship experienced by Nigerians under the colonial administration, while the smooth one symbolises freedom enjoyed after attaining self-rule.

He said: “The colours on the walls of the tomb represent different ethnic groups in Nigeria, and the late Balewa served those interests at heart and tried to unite them as one nation.

“The open roof of the tomb signifies the open-mindedness of the late Prime Minister and the simple life he lived.” 

According to him, the tomb is in good condition and records a high number of visitors, especially students who are on excursions to learn and see some of the personal belongings of the late prime minister.

According to the tour guide, visiting the tomb is free, but adult visitors to the exhibition section (gallery) are charged N100 per head and N50 for children.

He disclosed that over 7,000 students from schools across the country visit the tomb annually.

The tour guide also said that 75 students of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPS), Kuru, Jos, were in the study tower at the tomb in September 2021, while 22 foreign students or tourists also visited the tomb last year.

He listed important personalities that visited the tomb including former President Olusegun Obasanjo on July 16, 1999,

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, in September 2011, and former President of the Senate, Ken Nnamani, and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in May 2022, among others.

Akuyam, however, said that the tomb was renovated in 2012 by the National Commission for Museum and Monuments, while the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) upgraded the gallery.

“All the personal belongings of the late prime minister kept in the gallery are in good condition.

“We have over 20 staff working in the tomb, including guides, cleaners, receptionists as well as auditorium and library personnel.

“The tomb is being managed by the Bauchi State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, while the gallery is under the National Commission for Museum and Monuments,” he said.

Also commenting, Muhammad Yusuf, General Manager, Bauchi State Tourism Board, called for a review of laws governing the control and ownership of the monument to enhance good management of the all-important national asset.

Yusuf said the measure was imperative to fast track upgrade of the tomb to meet international standards, raise tourism potential and attract more visitors.

For his part, Mr Ibrahim Isa, a tourism expert, who corroborated earlier Yusuf, opined that Balewa’s tomb was being maintained effectively by the relevant authorities.

He said the review of the extant laws on such monuments is critical to ensure the protection of tombs of other national heroes. 

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Hisbah in Katsina Brutalizes Lady in a Case of Lawlessness and Impunity

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Hisbah in Katsina Brutalizes Lady in a Case of Lawlessness and Impunity

By Zagazola Makama

The brutal assault of a young woman, Hauwa’u Lawal Suleiman, and her sisters at the Katsina Hisbah office on April 15 has triggered widespread outrage and drawn fresh attention to the conduct of the state’s religious enforcement agency.

Eyewitnesses say Hauwa’u had gone to the Hisbah office to inquire about relatives allegedly detained by the operatives. What began as a simple inquiry reportedly ended in violence, as she was assaulted by about 20 Hisbah personnel, resulting in serious injuries, including a fracture. Her sisters, who were present and pleaded with the operatives to stop the attack, were also allegedly beaten and subjected to degrading treatment.

The shocking incident has once again raised concerns over the operational methods and legal limitations of Hisbah in Katsina State. While the agency is mandated to enforce moral standards under Sharia principles, critics argue that its operatives often act outside the bounds of the Nigerian constitution and without adherence to due process.

Legal experts say that although Hisbah is legally recognized under state law, it remains obligated to operate within the confines of the Nigerian legal framework. The growing number of complaints about unlawful raids, arbitrary arrests, and use of physical punishment without judicial oversight has led to calls for a comprehensive review of its operations.

Civic groups and legal observers in Katsina cite this latest incident as part of a broader pattern of human rights abuses allegedly carried out by Hisbah. They allege that the agency disproportionately targets young people, women, and the poor under vague pretexts such as “immoral gatherings” or “suspicious behavior.”

The Katsina State Government has yet to issue an official response to the incident. However, increasing public pressure is mounting for a full-scale investigation and disciplinary actions against any operatives found culpable. The absence of formal law enforcement training, lack of investigative procedures, and limited understanding of suspects’ rights are being pointed out as contributing factors to Hisbah’s alleged misconduct.

In a related development, Amnesty International has issued a strong condemnation of the assault, describing it as “lawless and callous.” The organization called on the Katsina State Government to immediately investigate the incident and hold the perpetrators accountable.

“Suspected Hisbah operatives that played a role in the assault on Hauwa’u Lawal Suleiman and her sisters must be identified and tried for gross violation of human rights,” Amnesty said in a statement.

The human rights group also alleged that the Hisbah in Katsina has routinely violated citizens’ rights through illegal raids and arbitrary punishments, particularly targeting women and youths. It warned that the unchecked actions of the agency were fostering a climate of fear and impunity.

“Hisbah cannot operate outside of the law. Failure of the Katsina State Government to subject Hisbah to legal accountability breeds and perpetuates impunity, creating a toxic climate of fear,” Amnesty added.

As the dust settles on this disturbing incident, the state faces renewed demands for regulatory clarity, institutional reform, and justice for the victims. For many observers, this case could be a turning point in how religious law enforcement is balanced with the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens.

Hisbah in Katsina Brutalizes Lady in a Case of Lawlessness and Impunity

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Herder killed, 40 cows rustled in Taraba village

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Herder killed, 40 cows rustled in Taraba village

By Zagazola Makama

A 30-year-old herder, Muazu Anaruwa, was killed and 40 cows rustled by suspected bandits in Kogon Dutse village, Old Muri district of Taraba State.

Zagazola Makama gathered that the incident, which occurred on April 22, came to light after Muazu’s father, Alhaji Audu Anaruwa, reported that his son had gone out to graze their cattle but failed to return home.

Police operative later discovered Muazu’s body in the grazing area, bearing what appeared to be a bullet wound, while all the livestock were missing.

Local sources described the attack as a case of banditry and cattle rustling. The body of the deceased was evacuated to the Primary Healthcare Centre in Andami, where a medical officer confirmed his death.

He has since been buried according to Islamic rites.

Police say efforts are ongoing within the local security network, including hunters and vigilantes, to track the perpetrators and recover the stolen cattle.

Herder killed, 40 cows rustled in Taraba village

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Three suspects arrested in Plateau, firearm recovered

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Three suspects arrested in Plateau, firearm recovered

By Zagazola Makama

The Plateau State Police Command has arrested three suspected and recovered a locally fabricated pistol during a raid in Jos on April 22.

Zagazola Makama was reliably informed that the arrest followed credible intelligence received by the Anglo Jos Division’s surveillance team, which led to the capture of Michael Jimoh, 26, Pam Davou, 37, and Ibrahim Isuwa, 35. The suspects were apprehended at around 10:30 p.m.

During a search, officers recovered a locally made pistol, which was loaded with one cartridge, from the suspects’ possession. The police did not specify the exact location of the arrest.

Sources said that the suspects are currently in police custody, and investigation into the case is ongoing.

Three suspects arrested in Plateau, firearm recovered

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