Re: ‘Hausas in Angwa, Idah and Ankpa, Were Originally Pagans From Bebeji’, An Open Letter to Dr Sylvester Onoja

My Dear Distinguished Chief Onoja,.....Read The Full Article>>.....Read The Full Article>>

I am hoping that this open letter meets you well. My attention has been drawn to an online publication titled: ‘At Achema Memorial: How Jerry Gana and Sylvester Onoja Held the Audience Spellbound’. In this publication was a statement credited to your highly revered name that reads as follows:

‘…Chief Onoja also emphasised the historical influence of the Nupe people on the Igalas, particularly in the spread of Islam. Contrary to the prevailing belief that the Hausa introduced Islam to Igalaland, Chief Onoja argued that it was the Nupes, who had fallen under the influence of the Othman Empire, that brought and propagated Islam in the region. He pointed out that the Hausas in Angwa (Idah and Ankpa) were originally pagans from Bebeji in present-day Kano, and it was the Nupes who strengthened Islam in Igalaland…’.

(https://www.peoplesdailyng.com/at-achema-memorial-how-jerry-gana-and-sylvester-onoja-held-the-audience-spellbound/)

This statement was reported to have been made at the twenty five year’s commemoration anniversary of the death of one of the most famous political leaders in Kogi State, in person of late Dr Steven Makoji ACHEMA. The said event was held on the 25th November 2024 at the Yardua International Conference Centre Abuja. At the said event, the former Minister of Information and National Orientation Professor Jerry Gana served as the Guest Speaker, while the incumbent Minister of Steel Development Alhaji Prince Shaibu Abubakar Audu was the special guest of honour, among other dignitaries.

The last time I checked, you were an accomplished secondary school teacher and School Principal. This means that you have no professionally credible opinion on the study of people and their culture. Further, I am not aware of whether you have, discovered any new work of an expert in the relevant field who had conducted a scientific study of that aspect of Igala history and culture, which may support your Abuja proclamation.

The ‘Muslim’ religion status of the Bebeji Hausa people of Igala Kingdom, now in Kogi State of Nigeria, has become a settled matter. For the past twenty five years, I have deployed my knowledge and experience of historical sociology to conduct empirical research on this aspect of Igala people and culture. My findings have revealed the names of those Bebeji Hausa Muslims as: 1. Sheikh Abu Bebeji, 2. Malam Aliyu Bebeji, 3. Malam Ahmad Awal, 4. Malam Ahmadu Atahiru, 5. Malam Bukar Bebeji, 6. Malam Adam Yahaya, 7. Malam Muhammad Kabiru. Their descendants, now in about ten generations spanning four hundred years have spread as Ungwar and other various communities in Igala Kingdom in Kogi State and in Nigeria and all over the world.

The findings also have confirmed their Hausa-ness, Muslim-ness and status of pioneering the establishment and propagation of Islamic Religion in Igalaland since seventeenth century.

My findings have also confirmed previous research as documented by eminent scholars such as a colonial scholar Clifford(1936), Tom Miachi(2012), Okwoli PE 2006; Abdulkadir Momosani(2011), an anthropology scholar JS Boston, Professor Emmy Unuja Idegu etc.

For example, in his research article published in 1936(393-436) titled A Nigerian Chiefdom: Some Notes on Igala Tribes in Nigeria and their Divine King(JRAI), a British scholar Clifford noted that:
‘The Ata of Igala Ayegba Omidoko invited Muslims from Bebeji and Kano to prepare ‘Ogwu’ or charms for him to win wars. Often, he won and so persuaded these Malams to stay. He gave them wives, and pieces of land on which to settle. Similar developments took place in Ankpa and other parts of the Kingdom and this can explain the presence of people of Hausa descent in many parts of Ankpa, IDAH and other parts of the Kingdom’.

Furthermore, a Professor of History at Bayero University Kano, Momosani AbdulKadir, (2011) in his one of many scholarly articles titled: ‘Islam in the Non-Muslim Areas of Northern Nigeria, 1600-1960’ Ilorin Journal of Religious Studies (IJOURELS) Vol. 1 No. 1,PP. 1-20. clearly stated that:

‘Early penetration of Islam in Igala Kingdom was during the Igala-Jukun war when some Hausa Muslims from North particularly Bebeji in Kano, were invited by the then non Muslim Atah(King) Ayegba Omidoko, to assist the state. The Igala success in the war by the Muslims in Idah and subsequently in several areas they became the first official royal contact with the Muslims. Muslims had featured prominently in the ATA’s court as scribes, interpreters, advisers, and judges and magical aidsetc.’

The theoretical position of these scholars is reflective of what an average person of Igala origin would find on the streets of Igala Land. While You don’t have to be a chief or traditional leader to know that. Your assertion is not popular among the good people of original Igala descent who have mostly shared marital relationships with the Bebeji Hausa Malams over the years.

On this note, the statement that the migrants Bebeji Hausa in Idah and Ankpa were not Muslims but pagans, you reportedly made at the Achema memorial event at Abuja recently requires further interrogations and clarifications. I believe with all sense of humility and honesty that you are a reputable teacher and leader of your generation who must not be seen to be making carelessly irresponsible statements in the public without concrete proof. Indeed, you need to demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt in support of that statement credited to your name so that you will not be seen to have used few minutes opportunity on the high profile Abuja podium to demolish all your hard earned and enviable life achievements with unprecedentedly aggravated falsehood.

I am a well brought up person who holds elders with respect. However, my assertion is that your purported comments on the matter is not true, and this should be seen as an effort to challenge you;

i. To either deny or come up with proof/clear and unambiguous evidence to enable people and those coming behind to learn from you.

ii. ⁠If you fail to do that, then the world awaits your public apology for making fallacious statements and misrepresentation of the valuable identity and cultural heritage of a people who are peaceful and law abiding.

iii. ⁠If you fail in this way, then you would be left with the option of adding unpleasant spread of falsehood against the people as part of your legacies while in this world.

iv. ⁠despite being at my tender age at IDAH at that time, I had the privilege of having access to what Dr Steve Makoji Achema, represented during his time on earth. The spread of falsehood wasn’t part of his legacies and I don’t know why the celebration of the Iconic figure should be marked with the spread of falsehood.

This is not a personal matter but of public concern. Your purported statement made at the event is about people’s identity and their cherished heritage that have lasted about ten generations of four hundred years standing. The statement you reportedly made as Imane-born respected father is about the Angwa Bebeji Hausa people of honour with legendary legacy in Igala Kingdom, from being credited for rendering help in the Igala/Jukun war, thereby creating an environment for the liberation of Igala people from imperial domination of the historical Apa-Jukun, then to the establishment of Islamic religion, spanning over two hundred years prior to the coming of the Nupes to the Igala land in later part of the 19th century, following Jihad onslaught of Othman Danfodio in 1806.

As for the Bebeji Hausa Muslims of Igala under reference, in this context came to the Kingdom in early 17th century. Their seeds or descendants in the current dispensation have also produced high profile peace makers, professors, academics and world class scientists and researchers, vice chancellors and pro vice chancellors of top ranking universities, members of federal cabinet in Nigeria, veterans journalists of international clout, medical doctors, Senior Advocate of Nigeria and senior lawyers, top diplomats and directors in federal ministries, federal law makers or members of national, state, and local assemblies, captains of industries, general in armed forces, police and other paramilitary, farmers, community leaders, politicians, successful businessmen/women and hundred of thousands others at their Ungwars home front etc. They deserved due respect and fair representation of their identity and heritage.

Although I am not sure of what your motives are, but I would like to politely remind you that the whole world is awaiting your further explanation on the matter sir.

Thank you sir.

Yours sincerely,

Dr Aminu Musa Audu is a sociologist, researcher and award winning author who is passionately committed to the production of evidence-based knowledge to improve policy, practice and social justice. He writes from Liverpool, United Kingdom.
4th December 2024.