The Hausa kingdom of Imo state was established more than 153 years ago from the people of Tsakuwa, Dal ward, of Garko local government area.
The head of the kingdom of Hausa communities and the people who came from the northern states were a combination of Muslims and non-Muslims.
Presently, the kingdom has ten members of the Emirate council and 27 district heads across 27 local government area of the state.
Alh. Auwal Baba Sa’idu Sulaiman is the Fourth emir of the Kingdom who spent eight years on the throne.
The kingdom council include Alh. Mande, as Chiroma and Alh. Mika’ilu as Madaki, Alh. Dikko Ajara as Turaki, Alh. Sulaiman Basingstoke as Garkuwa and Alh. Ya’u, as Sarkin Yaki.
Other members of the council include Alh. Saidu, Osi, Sarauniyar, Alh. Hamza, Marafa, Alh. Bello Gada, Wakili and Alh. Gambo Zuru, as Cigari of the kingdom.
While briefing our correspondent Nura Bala Ajingi on the history of the kingdom at his palace in Owerri, Imo state, the emir of the kingdom Alh. Auwal Baba Sa’idu Sulaiman said Malam Yahaya was the first emir, then Malam Sa’idu, the second and Malam Sulaiman was the third emir of the kingdom.
He said that all the Hausa people and the northerners living in Oma Hausa and parts of Imo state are living in peace with the indigenes of the state.
The 4th emir Alh. Auwal Baba Sulaiman, who is the Secretary of the Council of Chiefs of the South-East and South-South regions, stated that the kingdom have maximum support and cooperation from Imo state government led by governor Hope Uzodinma and the security agencies while managing their business and agriculture in the region.
He said that the Hausa Kingdom of Imo state which is based presently in Oma Hausa area support residents of the north to conduct their free businesses freely without any of being intimidated.
Alh. Auwalu Baba Sa’idu Sulaiman added that the kingdom which usually holds its Hausa annual cultural festivals, during Edil Fitir and Edil Kabir Sallah celebrations, while the followers of other religions and tribes are also conducting their affairs without interference as well as having intermarriage with the Igbo community.
He said this is the first time he received the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in his palace while assuring to establish cordial relationship with the union.
The emir thanked the Kano State chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists Comrade Sulaiman Abdullahi Dederi as well as members of his entourage under leadership of his council.
The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists KANO council, Comrade Sulaiman Abdullahi Dederi, said they paid the homage visit is to seek blessings and establish relationship for the development of the kingdom.
In his speech, the Garkuwa of the Hausa Kingdom of Imo state and Adviser to the governor on the northerners affairs in Imo State, Alh. Sulaiman Ibrahim Sulaiman said the history of the kingdom reveals that ancestral lineage of the current Emir have fought and resisted to ensure to the establishment of the Hausa kingdom in Owerri.
By Nura Bala Ajingi
