POET OF THE WEEK

Shehu Mubarak Sulaiman

I am North I run from the far Sahara through the Sahelian Kano to the fertile lands of Benue

I am North A spring of wisdom I fed the brave Sardauna And the eloquent Tafawa

I am North A home to the Hausas The Fulanis and Kanuris Beroms, Tivs and Idomas

I am North A generous mother For I betrothed The Niger To a beautiful bride----The Benue

In me are a people From diverse places Adamawa speaks beauty In Kaduna, it rains intellect

Sokoto narrates legends Of Shehu Usmanu Danfodiyo And his conquest of Argungu Down to the villages of Ilorin

In me were blacksmiths From the ancient town of Bidda Tell me about the town of Hadejia And fishes in its mysterious River

Plateau harbours minerals And abundance dwell in Kano Maiduguri was a home for all In the days of Ajami scripting

My youths are not Islamists I am the groudnut pyramids I am Yakubu Gowon and Abacha I am Mamman Shuwa and Murtala

When the sun rises My markets get saturated With hardworking merchants And traders from beyond me

I am North The stout Maina The arid land of Gashua I am vast farming and Pottery

I am North A cave that echoes All sounds of Dan Kwairo I am the strings of Dan Maraya

I am North Arewan Sarki Dikko I am Mamman Durugu I am architectural prowess

I am North I am the wealthy Dangote I am Okene and Ajaokuta I am Damaturu, Jos and Lafia

There’s more to me Than the stories you hear I had noble Queens and Kings Towns within me, far and near

I am North Of various faiths Muslims and Christians Of churches and mosques

Do not try to slander me

I Am North

False tales don’t define me My offsprings are not terrorists For I am North, I am hospitality

In me are age-long festivals And some colourful durbars My Yankari is a sight to behold Come! Do not wait till you are told

Mambilla touches the skies “Awara” is sweeter when fried I heard Gurara has tasty waters In me are brothers without borders Bauchi devours Maasa Fura is an anthem in Gombe There are morsels of Tuwo in Daura Hadejia is well known for Miyan Kuka

All hail Mamman Shata Who rose from ancient Funtua Our Queen Amina was a heroine She fought wars for old Zazzau

I am North I am Bayajidda I am Atta and Bayero I am Ladi Kwali and Sawaba

I am North The seat of The Caliphate The Birnin Kudu paintings I am culture and heritage

I am North I am milk and meat I am cows and camels I am grains and bounty harvests

I am North An abode of the Gwaris The Jukuns and the Zurus The Ebiras and the Igalas

These rains will go This blood will wash away These cries will fade slowly For I am North, Arewan Ali Makaho

I am North A place of love For myriad centuries Where peace had found shelter

They call me North My children call me Arewa But then, to me, I am a home For men, women, young and old.

Sulaiman is a Kano-based poet.