SHEIK HARUNA, WAZIRIN KATSINA
This book, written in the Hausa Language, is the history of the first Wazirin Katsina and closest ally to Sarki Dikko. To demonstrate their closeness, when Dikko was appointed as Emir in 1906 he appointed Mallam Haruna as the first WAZIRI and invited him to stay at the Palace compound. Waziri Haruna's first two children, Fatima Babba and Fatima Karama (mother of General Hassan Usman), were born at the Palace. Waziri Haruna was the Chief Councillor and Head of Administration before he was appointed as Sarkin Kaita in 1928.
Waziri Haruna was born in 1857 into the family of Sarkin Kanem Bakashe Mallam Haido in present day Niger Republic. His family, of Kanuri origin from Gulumba in present Borno State of Nigeria, had been ruling Kanem Bakashe since 1579 AD. They were part of those who established Kanuri rule of the Kanem-Borno Empire under Mai Idris Alooma. The Mai ruled between 1571 and 1603 and extended the Kanem-Borno Empire up to Katsina, Zamfara, Kano and parts of present day Niger Republic which included Kanem Bakashe, Tasawa and Damagaram (Hogben and Kirl Green, 1967). Being a great Islamic scholar, Sheik Haruna arrived in Katsina in 1897 AD in order to learn from the famous Katsina Islamic scholars, but he was rated as among the best and was made the Imam of the Kofar Sauri mosque. He became very close to Durbin Katsina Muhammadu Dikko and the Emir of Katsina Abubakar. Waziri Haruna's family is still ruling Kanem Bakashe. He died in 1937 leaving behind the largest family in Katsina. Among his one hundred and five (105) children (out of who 71 reached adulthood) were late Alhaji (Dr) Isa Kaita, Wazirin Katsina, late Alhaji Abubakar Lugga, Sarkin Dawan Katsina, late Alhaji Ismaila Damale, Sarkin Fadan Katsina and the late Alhaji Garba Kaita, Sarkin Malaman Katsina. The Wazirin Katsina, Dr. Sani Abubakar Lugga is his grandson.
