From its first settlement a millennium ago, Kano City has grown over the centuries as a cosmopolitan centre and an assortment of diverse ethnic communities converging there from most parts of what is now known as Nigeria and Africa, mixing and mingling with the original Hausa founders, and melting into a huge people called Kanawa. There are no 'indigenes' and 'settlers.' All are indigenes.

All it takes to become an indigene in Kano since the early 15th century up to the recent time is your loyalty to the throne of the emirate and your desire to reside in the ancient city. Up to the present times, most of the people known and referred to as 'Kanawa' are settlers from across Nigeria and many other African countries. In his famous poetry, the legendary founder of ancient Kano, Bagauda, narrated how the city became a centre for all peoples from across the country and Africa as a result of the massive drought and the subsequent famine that led to the great migration of the 16th century in Hausa land.

'The great famine of Kano coincided with the great famine during the reign of Fir'auna and Prophet Yusuf and that extended to this part of the world. Kano then was a fertile land that provided people from all works of life land for cultivation," according to Dr Uba Adamu, an authority on the history of Kano.

It was during this great famine that the forest area of Kano attracted many migrants from Borno, Katsina, Daura, Zamfara, Gobir, Kabbi and many such other places within the area now known as Northern Nigeria, as well as Niger republic and Mali .

Soon after their convergence in this ancient domain, they settled down and began to engage in farming, trading, blacksmithing and various other trades. Soon also the entire area turned into a market. That was the beginning of the ancient city's journey to commercial greatness.

This accommodation of peoples of diverse cultures and regions into its fold was what was needed to galvanize the astronomical commercialization of Kano into Africa's city of commerce and agriculture, and this continued up till today.

Dr Muhammed Uba Adamu, a foremost historian and former mayor of Kano city during the Audu Bako military administration of the late sixties to mid seventies, informed Daily Trust that that great migration was the genesis of the growth of Kano into one of the biggest and greatest centres of not only learning, but also of commercial greatness in the West African sub region.

According to him, since then, the entire city has developed into segments that represented those migrants that came into Kano during the 16th century drought.

"Up to this day, Kano is made up of communities like Daurawa, who were descendants of immigrants from Daura in present Katsina State; Zangon Barebari from Borno; Ayagi, the descendants of Yoruba migrants; Tudun Nufawa from Nupe and several other communities that have no where but Kano," he explained.

He disclosed that the entire Kano city was a personal belonging of the emir's family. But as communities after communities came into the city, the emir distributed the land free of charge to whoever decided to turn Kano into his land. Soon, the city became one of the biggest in Africa.

'That was how Kano grew from strength to strength, and that is how, currently, almost every tribe in the country is represented in Kano, not as a settler but as an indigene," the historian added.

Investigations by our reporter revealed that the entire settlements of Kano city are inhabited by people from many states of the north and south and who are today indigenes and were never looked at as settlers.

Some of these communities are Tudun Nupawa, Daurawa, Agadasawa, Zangon Barebari, Agalawa, Madabo, Dogon nama, Yolawa, Fagge, Yakasai , Zango, where people from Arab countries such as Libya and other North African countries reside, and Sabon Gari.

All these communities have produced prominent Kano citizens, amongst them governors, commissioners, local government chairmen, and ministers. They represented Kano as indigenes and where never seen any otherwise.

Former Kano State governor, Sabo Bakin Zuwo, had his origin traced to Nupe in Niger state, but his great grand parents migrated and lived in Kano where he was born and brought up to become the executive governor of the state in 1983.

Alhaji Tanko Yakasai is another prominent Kano indigene with origins from the Jikuns of the present Taraba State. This notable politician has never hidden his identity as proudly of Jikun origin. Like others, the history of Kano and the establishment of Yakasai as quarters in the city came as a result of migration of his ancestors to Kano hundreds of year ago.

Former Head of state General Sani Abacha, whose parents lived in Fagge local government area of Kano city, was another prominent Kano indigene with historical ancestry from Borno state.

With Kanuri (Barebari) origin, he lived and died as Kano state indigene and was never referred to as a settler, even though he bore his traditional Kanuri tribal marks on his face.

Other prominent personalities who are unquestionably Kano indigenes, but whose origins have been traced to other places, include even the current governor, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau and present chairman of the Kano Forum, Malam Magaji Dambatta, who traces his origin to Daura. There is the famous Borodo family, who were originally from Gombe State. A member of the family, Bala Borodo, became minister during Obasanjo administration from Kano State. These examples seem innumerable.

Another interesting fact about these unique settlements is the existence of Hausawa quarters and Unguwar Kanawa within the city.

Dr Muhammadu Uba Adamu said many people are amazed at how in Kano city there are places that bear Hausawa and Kanawa. However, according to him, that sends the factual message about the development of Kano as a city centre since the 15th century.

'These places were at the beginning inhabited by Hausa people and people from Kano. As we all know, the Gaya people first came into Kano after the Maguzawa, led by Tsumburbura. They were led by Bagauda. Then they were followed by people from across the country and the continent. Each community lived in a separate area distinct from the others and bore the name of its ethnic group or race. That was how the Hausawa and Kanawa quarters originated," he explained.

According to Dr Haruna Wakil, Director of the Centre for Democratic Studies, Mambayya House, Kano, the city has sustained an international status since the 15th century. Over the ages, Kano has been receiving strangers from all over the world.

"They came here for one reason or the other, which could be business and other commercial transactions. Kano has that reputation and fortune and this is why it is called in Hausa, "Kano Tumbin Giwa." People trooped to Kano in search of a fortune, and since those years from different parts of the world, the Arabs, people from North Africa, the Kanuris, the Fulani, the Nupe, the Yoruba, the Igbos, and many other ethic groups come and reside here in Kano and mingle freely with the people of Kano. In fact many of them settled to the extent that today, they are prominent quarters in Kano that once you hear their names, it tells you the history of the quarters and the original settlers." he said.

"If you go across the city, even at the heart of the city itself, you will find these kinds of settlements populated by people from elsewhere, from far and near, but they are living peacefully. They have come to accept and be accepted by the Kano people over the years. They have blended with the original Hausa/ Fulani Kano indigenes to the extent that they have become "Kanawa" so to speak. Therefore, there is no discrimination at all. No body is seeing them as foreigners or non indigenes because they have identified with the aspirations and problems of Kano," Dr. Haruna noted.

The notable historian added that there are a lot of prominent Kano indigenes who are confidently called and confidently answer the name 'Kanawa,' but who, a generation or two ago, were, in fact, not Kanawa. They were originally Yoruba, Arabs, tourists, Kanuri. They transformed over the generations into bonafide Kano indigenes.

"This is to tell you that Kano, being an international city, has always been very accommodating to diverse peoples, and Kano people encourage settlement of people from all over the world without discrimination," he pointed out.

Dr Wakili then urged Nigerians to emulate the good examples of Kano as a centre for peace, harmony and true Nigerianness.

"There are many things that could be done. One of them is for people to popularise the Kano example as a model of peace and hospitality. The true picture of Kano as a hospitable city should be popularised, people should know that Kano is the most international and liberal city in Nigeria and one of the most accommodating and most tolerant city where non indigenes are accepted and tolerated and that the sky is the limit to any body that identifies with Kano ," he posited.

"Secondly, I think Kano, being a commercial city, has no room for any cleavage, that people are indigenes or not. Once you are in Kano, you identify with Kano and you bring your skills and prosperity to add value to Kano progress, people tend to forget where you come from. They don't care, and they accept you because you have identified with them. One thing I realized is that Kano is what it is today is because those foreign elements that settled in Kano tend to be very careful. There are sensitive areas in social relations they don't play with. For instance, they don't play with religion. Even if they are non Muslims, they don't joke with the values of Islam. Therefore, wherever one finds himself, he should respect the values and religions, culture and traditions of the people. That has been what made Kano a harmonious city," he added.

This position was further reinforced by Dr Muhammed Uba Adamu, who disclosed that as at today, among the over 3000 wards heads (Dagatai) in Kano, a many of them have their origins from other places.

"Go to any meeting the emir is having with his Dagaitai and you see people with several tribal marks suggesting where they came from. But because their great grand parents lived and accepted Kano as their home, they were made traditional rulers. The highest level any indigene can reach is to become a traditional ruler in your domain," he said

It is in recognition of these wonderful traits that have elevated Kano to greatness that the present Governor Ibrahim Shekarau appointed three non-indigenes as Special Advisers in his government.

These are: Chief Fred Azuka the Special Adviser Inter-community Relations in charge of Southeast and South-South; Malam Mika'il Adebayor, Special Adviser for South-West; and Dr Salahuddeen Adams, Special Adviser in charge of Northern minorities.

Today, apart from these three special advisers serving in the present government of Kano State, there are several others who were elected and serve in local government councils in the state.

Madam Lilian Dike is a councillor representing Sabon Gari in Fagge local government where Madam Chibuzie Nnyeso is also a councillor. They are both of them of Igbo extraction from the Southeast but elected representatives of people in Fagge local government area of Kano state.

Even in the early 1980s several people from diverse nationalities contested and won elections in Kano. An example was that of Mr Sikiru, who was elected a councillor and whose election generated popular songs in the city then, when children danced and sang: 'Sikiru ya ci zabe, shima dan Kano ne.'

The government of Abubakar Rimi became more popular with appointment of non-indigenes as advisers in his government and local council members. The most notable was Dr Bala Muhammed, the late husband to Mrs Naja'atu Muhammed, as his Political Adviser. Dr. Bala hailed from Bauchi State.

In an interview with Daily Trust, Chief Fred Azuka said the Kano example of accepting the so called settlers has helped in developing trust and reducing mistrust among the populace.

He said since the creation of the offices to handle matters that affect other Nigerians, multi-cultural harmony has been strengthened and mutual confidence built among the diverse ethnic nationalities resident in the state.

"Every Nigerian, no matter his culture, religion and tribe, now feels a sense of belonging in Kano, not only because all such resident Nigerians see their own as part of government, but because there is genuine desire to integrate them into the community," he observed delightedly.

Chief Azuka added that what obtains now among the Igbo living in Kano is that they see themselves as Nigerians who have right to elect and be elected and who have been given the chance in Kano to fulfill their fundamental rights as Nigerians.

'This kind of sense of belonging is an instrument of diplomacy and I am calling on other states to emulate the creation of a department in charge of inter-community relations as done in Kano so that Nigerians could live peacefully with each other and the nation will be better for it," he added.

The universality of Kano as a cosmopolitan entity could also be seen from the multi-cultural aspects of the people living in the city in terms of there ways of ceremonies, in names, dresses and dishes.

Malama Karima Ibrahim hails from Dala Local Government Area of Kano State but her ancestors originated from Damaturu in Yobe State. She recalls that despite hailing from Yobe State, her entire family now claims Kano State.

"And we have never been doubted as bonafide indigenes let alone denied anything on the pretext that we were from Yobe State," she said.

This fact was equally attested to by Dr Muhammadu Uba Adamu, who said that the universality of Kano in terms of assimilation has been its strength and a source of greatness, positing, "I can tell you that today over 60 percent of residents of Kano came from somewhere. Yet they are full indigenes with all rights."

Alhaji Sule Ya'u Sule is the Director of Press to Governor Shekarau. He told Daily Trust that considering the historical fact about Kano as being home to all Nigerians, the administration of Governor Shekarau decided to strengthen this uniqueness by appointing the 'so called non- indigenes' as special advisers and members of the state executive council.

'This decision has brought encouraging harmony among the various peoples living in the city. Everybody now lives in peace, as people believe that their aspirations are being met through representations," he added.

The director said the Kano example is enough lesson for those who think only indigenes are qualified to aspire to public offices and be elected in their state.

This unique feature of Kano earned it its popularly name: 'Ta Dabo tumbin Giwa. Yaro ko da me kazo an fi ka,' literally meaning: Kano, the city of Dabo, an ocean that excels in all fields.