SAFAR 25 1431 A.H.
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 2010.
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Sardauna title: Late premier, Shekarau good comparison--Danfodio
By ALIYU UMAR
KANO emirate’s resolve to confer the title of Sardauna on the incumbent governor of Kano state, Malam (Dr.) Ibrahim Shekarau has attracted quite a number of statements and reactions from various sources of the segment of the people.
Those who stand against the decision did so on the historical background, while those who stand for the decision are those who consider current happenings believing that changes really come from the Almighty SWT as such those who believe in oneness of God in doing all things must accept whatever change comes and goes to as He (the Almighty) has power over all things.
Dr. Abdullahi Idris, the founder of Danfodio Islamic Medical Centre was among those who stand for the decision taken by Kano Emirate Council to confer the title of Sardauna on Governor Malam (Dr.) Ibrahim Shekarau when he entertained our reporter’s questions in an interview with him recently.
Read on:
I want to interact with you on your stand on the decision taken by Kano Emirate Council to confer the title of Sardauna on Governor Malam (Dr.) Ibrahim Shekarau, but before we go into the subject matter, may I know your biography in brief?
My name is Abdullahi Idris, I was born in Jega town, Kebbi state, I started with a Qur’anic school under the guidance of my father in Jega town and after acquiring an average knowledge in Islamic jurisprudence I left for Kano where I settled in Diso quarters in Kano city in the house of the famous Islamic scholars Sheikh Maihula.
I studied at Naharatul Islam School, Gwammaja besides my zeal in learning Islamic jurisprudence books with Sheikh Maihula.
I then gained admission into the School for Higher Islamic Studies Shahuci to master the Arabic language and Literature and completed in 1983. I proceeded to Kano state College of Education (now Sa’adatu Rimi) for my National Certificate of Education (NCE) and graduated in 1986.
I also gained admission into the Bayero University Kano for my first degree on Islamic Studies and Education where I completed in 1989.
I went on to pursue my educational career abroad, travelling to Sudan for my Masters degree in Islamic Medicine where I was able to complete in 1994 and returned back home to join teaching profession which I knew best.
On working experience, I taught at various schools like Kabuga Primary School where I rose to the rank of Headmaster, Gwauron Dutse Secondary School, Government Girls Secondary School Dangana, Tudun Wada quarters in Kano city, Girls Secondary School Kachako, Government Girls Arabic Secondary School Tudun Wadar Dankadai and later I became a lecturer with the Federal College of Education (FCE) Kano.
Let me draw you back to the issue of Sardaunan Kano, what is your stand on the title conferred on the incumbent governor of Kano state, Malam (Dr.) Ibrahim Shekarau?
First of all, the title conferred on Malam Shekarau is a pride and dignity to the entire people of Kano considering the fact that he deserves it when comparing his behaviour to his equals, Malam has excelled in humility, selfless service to humanity and patriotism.You can’t attribute the whole issue to historical background because human beings are of the same origin Adam (AS) and Eve (Hawa’u) as such the title was conferred on him by linking his attributes to that of the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto.
It is easy to make comparison between Shekarau the Sardauna of Kano and the late Sardauna of Sokoto because the late Sir Ahmadu Bello excelled in good governance, execution of developmental projects, humility, Islamic propagation in peaceful manner, dealing with his subjects with equity, regarding both Muslims and Christians equally before him potentials when talking of Northern region, boosting economic of the populace and many other good attributes so did Malam (Dr) Ibrahim Shekarau had tried his utmost best to emulate his predecessor the Sardauna of Sokoto in nearly all his undertakings. Shekarau excelled in the exercise of patience, foresight, peace loving and accommodating manner considering the caliber of people he assigned with the responsibility as special assistants on special duties.
You have spoken about historical origin, can you expantiate?
I just want to say that the title should be given to any person who deserves it even if he has no close blood relationship with the founder of Danfodio dynasty. Shekarau can be given a title greater than this if it exists that was the point I want to raise but I am not reacting to anybody’s stand because I had already taken my stand and no going back.
Let’s dwell on what you are now practicing, I mean healing various ailments through Islamic way of treating diseases of various kinds, may I know how come?
As I told you previously that I went to Sudan for my masters degree in Islamic medicine, yes, I am now operating at Dorayi quarters, Gwale local government area, Kano state where I established Danfodio Islamic Medicine Centre. The centre was established in 1994 shortly after I returned from Sudan purposely to advance research and cure of Jinn (evil spirits) ailments besides others. Apart from consultancy services, the centre renders services to the people wishing to know more about the state of their health. It also renders charitable activities pertaining to all facets of human endeavours as well as enlightenment on Islamic teachings both propagation and educational for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
I can understand that, the centre now gives a lot of contributions to humanity, how can you explain in brief how it works?
As I mentioned earlier, the centre is out to cure ailments in accordance with Islamic method, serves as consultancy centre for patients suffering from ailments, Islamic propagation, sending Islamic scholars to remote areas across Kano state for preaching and teaching mostly the animists (pagans) and humanitarian activities.
What is the capacity of workforce in the centre, I mean full-time workers?
As at present, the centre has nearly 100 staff who undertake its activities across the country. At the head-office located at Dorayi quarters beside Dorayi Juma’at Masjid (mosque) there exist about 40 staff, Katsina office has 10, Sokoto 10, Jigawa 10, Gumel 6, Birnin Kebbi 6 and Lagos has 6 each all of them permanent staff with the exception of casual workers, clients and customers.
Apart from the present branches opened, do you think of expanding your functions to make the centre attracts national outlook?
The centre which can boast of having branches opened across the country has a strong plan to continue opening more branches at suitable places either on demand from the people living in such places or looking into the possibility of doing so. Furthermore, the centre is looking into the possibility of establishing a school or research centre for educating the populace on Islamic medicine and in accordance with the teachings of the Glorious Qur’an and Hadith.
What message do you have to your clients and those mostly who are unaware of the activities of the centre?
The importance attached to healthcare delivery needs not to be over-emphasised as such I want to tell all and sundry that the centre does its best in rendering assistance to the needy who can not afford paying the amount demanded from them at an affordable rate, despite all these, patients suffering from various ailments find it difficult to cope with the hardships they face, as such I am appealing to the government of the day to come with a good intention to solve the problem. Likewise, I call on humanitarian organisations, well-to-do in the society to come to the rescue of the less-previleged citizens in all the seven branches we have across the country.
Thanks for granting the interview despite all odds?
Thanks very much, may the Almighty SWT reward you abundantly.
Umar is the editor Albishir news paper.
