As 12th Usman Dan Fodio Week reaches its peak

By KEMI KASUMU and OUR REPORTERS, Sokoto

Saturday November 1, 2025 was Day Five of this year’s edition of 12th Usman Dan Fodio Week, organised on annual basis for the past 12 years now under the collaboration of National Council of Muslim Youth Organizations (NACOMYO) Sokoto State Chapter and the Sultanate Council Sokoto with Muhammad Lawal Maidoki, Secretary General World Zakat Forum and Executive Chairman Sokoto State Zakat and Endowment Commission, as Chairman of the Organising Committee.

On this fifth day of the weeklong event, former Member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives and one time Governorship Candidate in Katsina State, Dr. Usman Bugaje, delivered the Symposium that is usually pivotal in the all-important annual event themed, “Reviving Ethical Leadership and Social Harmony: Lessons From Sokoto Jihad Leaders”.

Bugaje, who spoke in Hausa at the public lecture, charged his audience to organise themselves as well as their programmes and activities away from the way of the West.

This was as he also accused Europeans of copying Muslims’ ideas in every aspect of life but ran wrong claims and blackmails that today continues to make the Dan Fodio’s jihad subject of recurrent misinformation.

Bugaje also accused Europeans of trying to end Islamic religion globally, which he said was evident in why they are causing crisis and are not allowing peace in the Muslim states, even as, according to him, they keep peddling or sponsoring the falsehoods and misinformation about Shehu Usman Dan Fodio, Islam and Muslim Ummah of Nigeria.

“Another important thing to note about the unfortunate activities of the West is the issue of Abdulsalam Gimbana (Shehu ‘s lieutenant). Europeans, in their books are saying that there was a serious problem between Dan Fodio and Abdulsalam which is not true,” he said.

Bugaje narrated how Obasanjo’s administration, where he was a special adviser, sent him to Sudan to meditate about Southern and Northern Sudan crisis, “both of the revolutionary leaders agreed to ceasefire, Southern leader agreed that Sudan is constituted by high population of Muslims.”

He agreed that every body should be allowed to practice his/her own religion.

By the time US had the story, they bombed Southern Sudan leader

He gave another example with the Boko Haram insurgency,he pointed out that,America spearheaded the Insurgency through the use of USAID,Because,He(Bugaje)was among the participants of the meeting with Borno Muslim clerics with US delegates, before the meeting,The leader of US team asked,Where is Muhammad Yusuf? The clerics replied, “Muhammad Yusuf is not part of the meeting, because even his teacher is far behind us”, but after the end of the meeting, the US delegates went to Yusuf’s house and conducted the meeting with him.

Earlier in the week, other lecturers drafted from across the regions of the country including the Muslim Rights Concerns (MURIC) Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, His Royal Highness Dr. Muhammad Jabi Kilgori, among others.

Summarising his lecture to The DEFENDER, the District Head Kilgori spoke on the to inculcate inculcating ethics and morals in the society as done by founders of the Sokoto Caliphate.

In his lecture, on the need to ensure Islamic and secular education is enhanced at rural and urban areas that will provide solid foundation for good character and moral values within the society with parents and leaders driving the process.

Also, he spoke on “Promoting unity and sense of purpose among Muslim umma and peace building with non muslims and protecting the true tenants and values of Islamic religion without tribal or sectional sentiments as done by founders of Sokoto Caliphate.

“I also spoke in Muslims to be wary of negative use of social media against Islamic leaders and the religion and to respond appropriately with facts through all available social media platforms.”

Usman Dan Fodio Week was established 12 years ago to coincide with the coronation anniversary of the sitting Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, whose vision for effective peace, unity and development of both Muslim Ummah of Nigeria and the general community of the nation’s humanity does not exclude programmes which seek to set records straight about events surrounding his ancestral father, Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio, especially his Jihad that has faced recurrent misinformation among opinion shapers in the country.

Lecturer at the Grand Finale on Sunday November 2, 2025 will remain Dr. Usman Bugaje, who delivered the lecture at the symposium of Saturday, and he will speak on “Sokoto Caliphate in Bilad Al Sudan: State Formation, Statecraft and State Fidelity in 19th Century Africa”.

The closing ceremony is expected to be attended by Governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu, Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, Emir of Kaura Namoda, Major (Dr.) Major Sanusi Muhammad Asha, Emir of Gusau, Alhaji Abdulkadir Ibrahim Bello as the new Emir and Sarkin Katsina of the Gusau Emirate, among several other Emirs, governors and other political leaders in the country.

The final stage event will also feature presentation of award prizes to some worthy beneficiaries, who are usually drawn from across the Niger.