Potiskum Emirate

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The Potiskum Emirate (or Pataskum Emirate) is a traditional state in Nigeria, with headquarters in Potiskum, Yobe State. The Emir holds the title "Mai".

The state was first formed in 1809 by a Chief of the Ngizim people (related to the Bade people) named Mai Bauya or Buyan. During the British colonial period in 1915 Pataskum was merged into the Fika Emirate, which made its headquarters in Potiskum town in 1924.[1][2][3] The emirate was recreated by Yobe State governor Bukar Ibrahim on 5 August 1993, when he split the state's four emirates into 13. This change was reversed by the military regime of Sani Abacha that took control later that year. In his second term after the return to democracy, on 6 January 2000, Bukar Ibrahim re-implemented the new emirates, adding Gazargamo, Gujba, Nguru, Tikau, Pataskum, Yusufari, Gudi, Fune and Jajere. The Emir of Fika, Muhammadu Abali, protested at the break-up of his emirate and took the government to court, but eventually accepted the change.[4] The case has been suspended in court. Pataskum has an emir but is still without any land area except an unproven claim to the town of Potiskum itself.

In July 2002 a convoy carrying political leaders was attacked by thugs near the palace of the Potiskum Emir Umaru Ibn Wurima. Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim and Yobe State Governor Bukar Ibrahim managed to survive the attack. In May 2007 the Emir, Alhaji Umaru Bubaram Ibn Wuriwa Bauya, thanked the people for contributing N32 million of the N51 million used to build his new palace.[5] The ultra-modern palace was commissioned by outgoing governor Bukar Ibrahim.[6] The palace was the scene of a gathering in January 2009 of political leaders including Senate President David Mark, former Senate Presidents Anyim Pius Anyim and Adolphus Wabara and many more, paying tribute to the governor of the state, Senator Mamman Bello Ali who had just died.[7]

In June 2010 the Emir of Potiskum gave the title of "Turakin Potiskum" to the state's former commissioner of finance, Alhaji Mohamed Hassan, in recognition of his contributions to the development of the state.[8] In July 2010 he supported a proposal by the Emir of Fika, Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa, to convert the old Potiskum Prison into a museum.[9]

References

  1. ↑ "Traditional States of Nigeria". World Statesmen. Retrieved 2010-09-15. 
  2. ↑ Abdussalam Muhammad (21 May 2008). "Between Mamu And Yobe State Government". Leadership. Retrieved 2010-09-15. 
  3. ↑ "HISTORICAL BACKGROUND". Bade Emirate. Retrieved 2010-09-15. 
  4. ↑ Ola Amupitan (August 2002). "Potiskum's Challenge to Damaturu as Yobe Capital". Fika Today. Retrieved 2010-09-15. 
  5. ↑ Isa Umar Gusau (13 May 2007). "Emir Thanks Community for Building Palace". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2010-09-15. 
  6. ↑ "A New Dawn". The Source Magazine. JUNE 18, 2007. Retrieved 2010-09-15. 
  7. ↑ Sufuyan Ojeifo (1 February 2009). "Mark, Senators Eulogise Late Yobe Gov". ThisDay. Retrieved 2010-09-15. 
  8. ↑ Sunday Isuwa (3 June 2010). "Ex-Yobe Commissioner Bags Turakin Potiskum Title". Leadership. Retrieved 2010-09-15. 
  9. ↑ Hamza Idris (4 Jul 2010). "Emir wants prison converted to museum". Sunday Trust. Retrieved 2010-09-15. 
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