THE CRADLE OF NIGERIA’S LEADERS

Is Barewa College in search of renaissance or facing decline? asks Adamu Rabiu

Barewa College, nestled in the historic city of Zaria, Kaduna State, is one of the prestigious and historically significant educational institutions in the country. Its origin emanates from the foresight, and patriotic zeal of eminent military officers, knights and lords of the British empire such as Mr. U. Smith (Mallam Smith), Hans Vischer (Dan Hausa), Lord F. Lugard, Sir H. Clifford, etc. Established in 1921 by the British colonial authorities as Katsina Training College, it underwent several evolution, name and location changes before eventually settling in 1949 and becoming Barewa College in 1972. The name “Barewa,” meaning “gazelle” in Hausa, symbolizes the school’s regional and national heritage.

The school was founded to train the next generation of Nigeria’s and also Northern Nigeria’s leaders during colonial rule and post-independence, particularly focusing on providing quality western education, equipping them with the required civility while preserving their cultural heritage, to eventually manage the affairs of the region and the country at large. It was modelled after elite British schools like Eton, and it was a crucible for nation-building while its alumni have had an outsized influence on Nigeria’s history – a legacy carved in gold.

Barewa College has birthed generations of leaders who were the architects of Nigeria, steering it through critical junctures and have shaped the nation’s destiny. From the corridors of this esteemed institution, a brotherhood emerged in 1939, known as the “BOBAs.” These men, Bareyi’s (Bucks or Bulls in English) imbued with a unique blend of Western education and traditional African values, have left an indelible mark on the nation.

Alumni of Barewa College are often referred to as “BOBAs.” It was established to maintain the alumni network, support the college, and contribute to national development. This brotherhood is characterized by a strong sense of camaraderie, loyalty, service and they are a Conglomerate.

The Brotherhood convened recently in Abuja on 9th November 2024 for its Annual Dialogue and Honours Awards at the pristine armed forces officers mess to eulogise and honour one of their foremost and Nigeria’s own General Yakubu “Danyuma” Gowon, a Zaria boy, and to also award honour to deserving Bareyi’s and discuss on the renaissance thing in relation to Nigeria’s sorry state.

BOBAs have excelled in various fields producing numerous prominent figures who have made significant contributions (both positive and negative) to Nigeria’s political, diplomacy, economic, education, religious and social development, including:

Politics: Many former students have held high-ranking positions in government, including head of states, presidents, prime minister, premiers, governors, senators, house of rep’s members, ministers, commissioners, diplomats, etc.

Military and security agencies: A significant number of Nigerian military officers and men, including service chiefs, inspector general of police, heads of para-military and security agencies, generals, air vice marshals, etc., are Bareyi’s.

Traditional title holders: A significant number of revered traditional rulers are BOBAs and include sultans, sardaunas, emirs, etsu nupes, lamidos, chiefs, etc.

Judiciary: Amongst the Bareyi’s can be found numerous chief justices, presidents of court of appeal, chief judges, chief magistrates, senior advocates of Nigeria, barristers and lawyers.

Religious leaders: A significant number of Bareyi’s are sheikhs, bishops, ulamas, reverend fathers, mallams, alhajis and pastors.

Business: Bareyi’s have established successful businesses across various sectors including the banking, oil, and real estate, and are chairmen, managing directors, executive directors etc thus contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth.

Academia: Many Bareyi’s have pursued academic careers, becoming vice chancellors, professors, doctors, scientist, physicians, pharmacists, architects, engineers, quantity surveyors, researchers, analysts, and intellectuals.

Civil Service: Bareyi’s have held key positions in the Nigerian civil service, such as CBN governors, secretaries to federal/state governments, heads of service, permanent secretaries, director generals, heads of agencies and organizations, shaping policies and driving development.

Others: Amongst the brotherhood, there also exists the retirees, pensioners, kidnapped victims, killed victims due to banditry and insurgency, the middle tier, the low tier, traders, drivers, security guards, messengers, etc.

Barewa College’s contributions to Nigeria’s development are unparalleled. With an alumni base that reads like a “Who’s Who” of Nigerian history, its impact transcends the boundaries of education and into all sectors of human endeavours. BOBA alumni have not only steered and influenced the country’s political machinery but have also played critical roles in building empires that power the economic and social spheres.

These contributions underline Barewa college’s foundational ethos of nurturing leaders who serve with purpose and vision.

But with BOBAs, how can Nigeria and Nigerian’s still struggle with poverty, hunger, inequality, insecurity, infrastructural deficits, economic woes, lacking national unity and bad governance?

And with the above spectrum of personalities, it’s important to ask, have the Bareyi’s realise and acknowledge that they are a conglomerate and that the world is constantly evolving? The challenges and opportunities faced by today’s generation are different from those of the past. And have they adapted to the demands of the 21st century?

Additionally, shouldn’t Bareyi’s be

torchbearers, change-makers and with the moral obligation to address the complex issues of modern Nigeria?

Finally, what has happened to the Barewa “Mafia-Like “Aura?

“Man Jadda Wa Jadda”

The BOBA Annual Dialogue and Honours Awards Event should not be a tea-party, talk- show, photo-shop, to reminisce and rekindle fond memories or just to celebrate the past but must be the Chatham House, a most influential body in Nigeria with set rules and its communique a landmark publication in like manner of the Chatham House Reports.

In short, it should be an event that the President must attend and who ever intends to run for Presidency must grace!

Lest it be forgotten,

The gazelle symbolizes agility, resilience, hope, and that “He who seeketh, shall findeth it! “

Hon (Alh) Rabiu (Bakondare), a Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist on Policy, Finance, Risk, Politics, Good Governance & an Advocate for Sustainable Development, writes from Kaduna