DUTSE; the Hausa word for stones, is the name of the capital city of Jigawa state, and nicknamed Gadawur by a 13th century hunter called Duna Magul for the availability of gazelles then in the land. Jigawa state was created out of Kano state in 1991 during the military regime of Gen Ibrahim Babangida. Just as Abeokuta in Ogun state sits behind rocks in the wooden savannah lands of southwest of Nigeria, Dutse is safely tucked behind the rocks and hills of the Sudan savannah in the northwest. Given the geography of northern Nigeria, it would seem unimaginable that such rocky hills would be found anywhere in the core north, but no, the God almighty is awesome in His creations and provisions, He gave the north Dutse as a place of rest, peace and serenity.
The creation of the state was followed four years later in 1995, by the turbanning of Alhaji Nuhu Muhhammadu Sanusi as the twentieth Emir of Dutse after the passage of his father, the late Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi. Political and cultural administrations have since been so well married in the state that it has created and developed to what is today, emerging one of Nigeria’s most serene, peaceful and attractive tourist destinations in Nigeria.
Yes, some ill-advised and misinformed miscreants may be running around with bombs, guns and cudgels in the country particularly in the north, but somehow due to the deft strategies of the administrators of the state as a whole, no major violent incident has been recorded in the city. The only record of crimes and criminality remains the occasional appearance of the nationally ubiquitous pick pocket; and even at that, it remains very occasional. You can touch the peace in the city as it stares and sits right there in your face.
It must be stated that judicious use has been reasonably made of the resources of the state as a modern city with world class infrastructure fast emerging in Dutse. Juxtapose this with the well preserved cultural heritage of the people and you will indeed have a unique blend of culture and modernity sitting together in a way that doesn’t only appeal esthetically but also creates an ambience of functionality in a manner that makes the environment much more welcoming and comfortable.
The Emir’s palace on Emirs Palace road is a world class architectural masterpiece blending the ancient and modern; this piece will compare with any other in the world. It has become a major tourist attraction with its display of symbols, colours and art. The old palace that has some rooms as old as 200 years has been renovated in a manner that it has retained its essential traditional features while also showcasing the opulence and grandeur of royalty in its masterful display of a myriad of eye catching colours. Its location is strategic as it sits on an elevation that is surrounded by rocks. It must be stated that the managers of this culture that dates back to more than five centuries have done an excellent job of preserving its history and cultural heritage.
In an age when African renaissance is coming back to our consciousness, the Dutse Emirate Council should be commended for their efforts. This is more so important as we have such bizarre stories about one Mongo Park that discovered the River Niger even when there were people living by its banks, farming, fishing, bathing and basically living off the river before this white man passed by. The white man did not discover Dutse, evidence of his first visit to the town remains and is intact. The well kept physical and tangible history of the city is inspiring.
The highest point in the city is the height of the Dutse monument built by the current presiding Emir. This facility sits atop the highest rock formation in the city and is an Islamic edifice that shines through and attends to the spiritual wellbeing of the Moslem faithful within and around the state.
The eighteen (18) hole 126 hectares Royal Golf Course situated within the city is an excellent facility for the Golf and sport lovers and even for recreation and exploration. This facility is indeed unique in the sense that it houses more than forty earthen dams which are homes to tens of thousands of fish; enjoying the same ecosystem are ostriches, camels, monkeys and other friendly animals. My team and I were not the only visiting team as we also had the company of tens of thousands of birds that migrated all the way from various parts of Europe to luxuriate by the dams and the environ thereby creating an excellent opportunity for bird watching.
The presence of the Federal Government of Nigeria is strong in Dutse in several forms. The Federal University Dutse, complete with a full- fledged, fully equipped and functional teaching hospital is one of such. The Date Palm Research Institute with its scenic plantations; another beauty to behold is also one of such presence. Dutse is also well renowned for the production of dates or dabino as it is called in Hausa.
Dutse is ready to receive the world with its Dutse International Airport now open to traffic and well laid asphalt dual carriage way all the way from Kano which makes access to Dutse very easy. There may not be commercial flights operating the route today, but the facility is available, the city is set and it awaits the airlines to take the plunge, even as the hospitality industry has sprung to life.
Just as no stone is being left unturned in preserving the cultural heritage of the people, efforts are equally afoot to keep the city apace with modernity. The Chimneys may not be billowing smoke from factory halls, but economic activities are equally thriving in agricultural business, sand and stone mining, commerce and in even small scale industries.
I had glimpses of Dutse, I did not see the Durbar, I shall return to behold the grandeur and the colour of the Durbar, and again enjoy the excellent hospitality of the people of Dutse. Dutse was a refreshing experience.
Udo wrote this piece from Abuja.