127 Facts About Aminu Kano

Mallam Aminu Kano was a Nigerian radical opposition political leader, teacher, poet, playwright, and trade unionist from Kano.

Aminu Kano played an active role during the transition from British colonial rule to independence, the First Republic, Military rule, and the Second Republic.

Aminu Kano was a vocal critic of British colonialism and its indirect rule policy in northern Nigeria.

In 1948, Aminu Kano founded the Northern Teachers' Association, the first labor union in Northern Nigeria, and helped form the Northern Peoples Congress, initially a cultural organisation, in the same year.

Aminu Kano resigned from teaching in 1950 to become a full-time politician.

Aminu Kano was appointed a United Nations delegate, promoting a non-aligned position for Nigeria and 'non-bloc diplomacy'.

Aminu Kano's tenure ended after losing his seat in the 1964 general election.

Aminu Kano served as a Federal Commissioner during Yakubu Gowon's military administration.

Aminu Kano is regarded as one of modern Nigeria's founding fathers and is widely respected throughout the country.

Aminu Kano's grandmother was given the Fulani title of Modibbo, typically reserved for respected Islamic scholars.

Aminu Kano was further enrolled into Shehuci Primary School, a western school, where he was taught how to read and write in English.

Aminu Kano adopted the name of his birthplace, Kano, as his surname, a common practice among western educated Northern Nigerians at the time.

In 1933, Aminu began attending Kano Middle School, a boarding school.

Aminu Kano then proceeded to Kaduna College where he obtained a diploma in education in 1942.

However, due to ongoing student unrests, the principal of King's College was reluctant to admit Aminu Kano, who was known for leading student protests.

Aminu Kano attempted to join the army and the police force but was rejected from both as he was five feet four, an inch shorter than the minimum height requirement.

Aminu Kano began writing for the few newspapers and magazines available at the time, like Gaskiya Ta Fi Kwabo and the West African Pilot, and developed a keen interest in politics.

Aminu Kano often had long discussions with Zungur, frequently visiting his home after classes.

Aminu Kano maintained sporadic correspondence with Zungur until their reunion in Zaria.

Aminu Kano occasionally organised plays and shows for the students, sometimes using Abubakar Imam's works.

Aminu Kano was active in various student societies including drama, debating, and science.

Later, Aminu Kano arrived with Yahya Gusau, and "reassured them that their complaints would get proper airing" and convinced them to return to their dormitories.

Aminu Kano further pointed out that at the time of the British takeover, the Sokoto Caliphate and its emirates had morphed into a system unintended by Shehu Usman dan Fodio, its founder.

Aminu Kano argued that the succession of caliphs was meant to be based on merit rather than birth and that the autocratic system of governance was against the teachings of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad and the Shehu.

Balewa, being more of a moderate than Aminu Kano, lightly defended the indirect rule system, arguing that the maintenance of law and order was essential in securing the foundation on which desired reforms could be carried out.

Aminu Kano urged Balewa to reconsider his "ill-conceived" defence of indirect rule and further argued:.

Aminu Kano then pointed out that despite having fewer constituents and responsibilities compared to the Emir of Bauchi, the Lamido of Adamawa received a higher salary.

At the Institute of Education in London, Aminu Kano delved into the works of figures like Harold Laski, George Bernard Shaw, and Karl Mannheim, whose teachings is "the source of many of Aminu Kano's ideas on the ideal human society".

Aminu Kano established relations with several left-wing figures and organisations in London, including the Socialist Labour Party, the Student Socialist Society, and the Young Socialists, and met and befriended some left-leaning Members of Parliament and "top leaders" of communist organisations.

Aminu Kano was influenced by leading Labour politicians of the time, such as Aneurin Bevan and Fenner Brockway.

Aminu Kano witnessed the eve of India and Pakistan's independence struggles through the students from both nations.

Aminu Kano was shocked the see the king and queen chatting and mingling freely with the boys which was a stark contrast with the way the British officialdom behaved back in Nigeria.

In March 1948, while still studying London, Aminu formed the Northern Teachers' Welfare Association, the first region-wide organisation and labour union in Northern Nigeria, alongside other teachers from the region, like Salihu Fulani, Z Y Dimka, Yahaya Gusau, Shettima Shehu Ajiram, Shehu Shagari, and Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.

Aminu Kano was to tour the major cities of the North, but excluded Bauchi.

Aminu Kano and Zungur suspected that this omission was a deliberate move by the Governor and his advisors to avoid confronting the city's outspoken radicals and their list of demands and grievances.

Consequently, Aminu Kano rejected the offers, informing Knott and MacPherson that he preferred to remain a teacher.

Aminu Kano later turned down a job as a lecturer in Hausa at the Oxford University.

Aminu Kano learned that an elderly man he regularly gave alms to was a spy for the Sultan several weeks into his stay in Maru.

At that time, Aminu Kano shared a cordial relationship with Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, who held a rivalry with the Sultan.

Aminu Kano requested a discreet 2 am meeting, but upon learning that Aminu had told Bello about this invitation, the Sultan grew furious and canceled the meeting.

Aminu Kano responded by asking him to report to his superiors that:.

Finally in August 1950, some radical NPC members in Aminu Kano formed the Northern Elements Progressive Union, the first declared political party in Northern Nigeria.

Aminu Kano handed in his resignation letter on 16 October 1950 and departed from Maru for good on November 4 of the same year.

An article by Aminu Kano explaining his reasons for resignation was published in the Daily Comet newspaper on 11 November 1950:.

Aminu Kano claimed that Aminu, upon hearing of this, encouraged him to "exercise the mandate I had been given" and assured him of their continued friendship and respect.

Aminu Kano participated in the primary voting phase of the first parliamentary election in September 1951 for the Northern House of Assembly.

At the meeting, Aminu Kano pointed out that the emir's council was not a debating society and that discussions should be held separately and later reported to the emir.

At this second meeting, Aminu Kano said that NEPU's alliance with National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons was not against Islamic teachings as even Muhammad once made a defense alliance with Jews around Medina.

Aminu Kano said that the Emir of Kano himself had recently consulted Christian Igbo engineers to work on the Great Mosque of Kano in the 1950s.

Aminu Kano was elected the President-General of NEPU at the third annual convention of the party in 1953, succeeding Abba Maikwaru.

Aminu Kano contested in the 1954 Federal elections for Kano East but lost to Maitama Sule.

Aminu Kano lost the election to Ahmadu Dantata, one of the wealthiest Nigerians and heir to the Dantata business empire.

Aminu Kano persistently pushed for Nigeria to increase its support for anti-apartheid efforts in South Africa and encouraged the continued involvement of Nigeria in restoring "peace and dignity in the Congo".

Aminu Kano interpreted the proposal as an indirect attempt by the AG to sever NCNC's ties with NEPU, their main opposition in the south.

Aminu Kano suspected Ahmadu Bello, the Premier of Northern Nigeria and NPC leader, of being behind the deposition.

Aminu Kano distributed posters and propaganda drawing parallels to the historical rivalry between Sokoto and Kano.

NPC, in an attempt to salvage support in Aminu Kano, called for its supporters to greet the new Emir.

Sanusi's deposition significantly impacted NEPU's support in Aminu Kano and heightened tensions between Aminu Kano and Sokoto, particularly within the Sufi brotherhoods Tijanniyya and Qadriyya.

Aminu Kano represented Nigeria at the 1965 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

Three months into his rule, Aminu Kano was holding talks with Joseph Tarka and Maitama Sule regarding what they considered "a common threat to Nigeria".

Aminu Kano outlined the challenges facing the North and proposed solutions.

Ironsi seemed to be unintrested, hence, Aminu Kano's efforts were "to no avail".

Subsequently, Aminu relied on the relatively conservative Ado Bayero, the Emir of Kano, to convey his radical ideas to the Supreme Commander.

Aminu Kano further abolished all political parties and cultural associations in an attempt to attack 'tribalism'.

Aminu Kano revoked the controversial Unification Decree and reinstated the previously abolished four regions.

Immediately after the announcement of Gowon's appointment, Aminu Kano helped organise discussions with the North's "leaders of thought" in Kaduna, comprising civil servants and First Republic politicians.

Aminu Kano represented the Kaduna group at the Ad Hoc Conference in Lagos, presenting their recommendation for the creation of 12 to 14 states, with 7 for the North and 5 for the South.

Aminu Kano personally donated 250 pounds to the project, with total contributions amounting to approximately 4,000 pounds.

Aminu Kano served as the chairman of the school until his passing in 1983.

Aminu Kano led the procurement committee tasked with acquiring arms, which involved extensive travel around the world, including Europe, the United States, the Soviet Union, and North Africa, to negotiate arms deals.

In May 1968, Aminu Kano participated in peace talks between Nigeria and Biafra held in Kampala, Uganda, one year into the civil war.

Aminu Kano seemed to be so different; in fact, he seemed to be looking out of the window.

Aminu Kano approached the war not as a conflict against the Igbo people or the former Eastern Region, but as a war against secession.

Aminu Kano retained the authority to appoint all district heads and could exert influence on executive and legislative matters across all levels.

Bako outlined his three elements of policy regarding the reforms: to preserve the best elements of traditional emirate government in Aminu Kano, to bring those in authority closer to the people through representation; and to deal harshly with those who obstruct constituted authority.

Aminu Kano later joined a political association called the National Movement which was made up of influential figures, primarily from the North.

Aminu Kano agreed to send five aides to the launch while he continued his meeting and was never to return to the NPN.

Aminu Kano was nominated for the position of publicity secretary by Chief Adisa Akinloye.

The purpose of this gathering was to explore ways to persuade Aminu Kano to reconcile with the NPN.

Dambazau noted that nobody defended Aminu Kano nor attempted to restrain Datti during his speech.

Aminu Kano fell sick before the next meeting, and was bedridden for days.

Benson, and Dandatti Abdulkadir, Dahiru Liman, and Dambazau, convened in Aminu Kano to discuss with him on the next steps to follow.

Aminu Kano was chosen as PRP's presidential candidate he was refused clearance by FEDECO to contest due to tax irregularities, and was required to submit "more convincing evidence".

Aminu Kano denied liability for any tax other than the flat rate of tax imposed on all Nigerians irrespective of income.

Aminu Kano was eventually cleared after a court declaration was released supporting Aminu's claim of not missing any tax payment.

Aminu Kano tried to convince Aminu to withdraw from the presidential race "since we both knew his chances to be bleak".

Aminu Kano was cleared on 1 August 1979, hours before the deadline for presidential nominations.

Aminu Kano flew from Kano to Lagos on the same day to file his nomination papers with FEDECO.

The PRP framed the election as a class struggle in Aminu Kano and conducted an extensive propaganda campaign to promote this narrative, contributing to the party's significant success in the state.

The radical faction was called Santsi after Aminu Kano said they were on a slippery slope.

Violence erupted on 10 July 1981, in Aminu Kano, resulting in the burning of several government buildings, including the State Government Secretariat, Radio Aminu Kano, and the State House of Assembly.

The leaders of the Santsi faction accused the NPN and Aminu Kano of orchestrating the riots to "preserve their political power".

In 1982, he released a book titled Struggle for Social and Economic Change, in which he accused Aminu Kano of orchestrating the 1981 killings.

In preparation for the 1983 presidential election, Aminu Kano chose Bola Ogunbo as his running mate, the first time a woman ever held the position in the country.

Aminu Kano was buried on the same day in his house.

Aminu Kano's influence continues to resonate in Nigerian politics long after his passing.

Aminu Kano drew inspiration from notable writers such as Shakespeare, Rousseau, Voltaire, and Tom Paine, attempting to adapt their works for a Hausa audience.

Aminu Kano often served as the playwright, actor, and director in his plays, sometimes converting prose into drama or using strictly original material.

Aminu Kano made social commentary and criticisms through these plays and shows.

Aminu Kano was particularly influential on Maitama Sule, one of Hausa cinema's early adopters.

Sule mentioned attending Kaduna College after Aminu Kano had graduated, recalling that almost all the plays he acted in were written by Aminu Kano.

Aminu Kano joined the Northern Elements Progressive Union as a political platform to challenge what he felt was the autocratic and feudalistic actions of the Native Northern Government.

Aminu Kano geared his attack on the ruling elite including the emirs, who were mostly Fulanis.

Aminu Kano's father was an acting Alkali in Kano who came from a lineage of Islamic clerics, Aminu Kano brought up Islamic ideas on equity in his campaign trails during the first republic.

Many talakawas in Aminu Kano lined up behind his message and his political stature grew from the support of the Aminu Kano commoners and migratory petty traders in the north.

Aminu Kano sought to use politics to create an egalitarian Northern Nigerian society.

Aminu Kano proposed a fiscal system that favors heavy taxation of the rich in the region and was notably one of the few leading Nigerian politicians that supported equal rights for women.

Mallam Aminu Kano is highly respected politician in Northern Nigeria.

Aminu Kano symbolized democratization, women's empowerment and freedom of speech.

Aminu Kano refrained from having multiple wives, asserting that the Qur'an permitted a Muslim to marry up to four wives only if equal treatment was ensured, which he thought was impossible to achieve.

Aminu Kano interpreted this as the Qur'an not advocating polygamy.

Aminu Kano argued that the Qur'an gave Muslims the right to "have a direct say in the affairs of the state or a representative chosen by him or her".

Aminu Kano advocated for the greater involvement of women in public affairs, implementing large-scale education programs for women through his party PRP and appointed several women to public positions.

Aminu Kano's first wife, Umma, was a divorcee from another marriage.

Aminu Kano's family was 'royalty of sorts' and disapproved of her marriage to Aminu due to his 'open anti-royalty stance.

Aminu Kano's family managed to convince the local Alkali to dissolve the marriage a second time after the couple returned to Kano for holidays.

Shortly after her year-long relationship with Aminu Kano ended, Umma fled to Ghana alone.

Aminu Kano's grandmother approached Aminu's father on her behalf, and he accepted the proposal.

Aminu Kano took it upon himself to educate her in the Quran, basic English literacy, and personal hygiene.

Aminu Kano shared her knowledge by tutoring other women around her.

Once Aminu retired from teaching in 1950 and took up politics, they moved to Kano.

Aminu Kano resided in Aminu's family compound in Sudawa but later returned to her mother's home after a dispute with Aminu's stepmother.

Aminu Kano arranged for Hasia to work in a maternity hospital, a position she held until at least the early 1970s.

Aminu Kano attended his wedding in 1969 and, a year later, he sponsored her pilgrimage to Mecca.

Chinua Achebe, the influential Nigerian novelist and PRP colleague of Aminu Kano, described him as "a saint and revolutionary".

British journalist and historian Basil Davidson, who Aminu Kano described as his friend, characterized Aminu Kano as "the Teacher, the Rebel, the Crusader-Politician, and the Statesman-Parliamentarian".

Aminu Kano was an expert in Islamic jurisprudence and tafsir, delivering widely popular lectures on these subjects, especially in Kano.