Arewa House

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Arewa House
Gidan Arewa
Arewa House Library Building.jpg
Arewa House Library
Arewa House
General information
AddressRabah Road, Kaduna State
Country Nigeria

Arewa House (Hausa: Gidan Arewa) is a center for research and historical documentation under Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, located in Kaduna, Kaduna State, in Northwest Nigeria. It also served as the residence and office of the Premier of the defunct Northern Nigeria Region. [1] [2]

Contents

History

Defunct Arewa coat of arm Defunct Arewa Coat of Arm.png
Defunct Arewa coat of arm
Side View of Arewa House Museum Arewa House museum Building.jpg
Side View of Arewa House Museum

Arewa House is the center for historical documentation and research of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. Located at No. 1 Rabah Road, in the residence of the late Premier of Northern Nigeria. The house was established in 1970 under the directorship of Professor Abdullahi Smith, who died in 1984 and was succeeded by Dr. Bashir Ikara in 1986. [3] The center is concerned not only with research and documentation of the history and culture of the people of Northern Nigeria, but also with contemporary studies on policy, peace and leadership. The aim of the house is to serve as a center for documentation and research in history and contemporary challenges. [4] [5]

A workstation of Arewa House Library Work station of Arewa house archive.jpg
A workstation of Arewa House Library

Though under the authority of Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Arewa House has an independent board of trustees and governing council. It is headed by an executive director, who runs the day-to-day activities of the house. [6]

List of directors

S/NName of directorYear of serviceProfessionRef.
1.Prof. Abdullahi Smith [7]
2. [7]
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.Prof. Abdulkadir Adamu2014-2017 [7]
8.Prof. Sule Bello2017-2019 [7]
9.Dr. Shuaibu Shehu Aliyu
10.Prof. Salisu Bala
11.Prof. Aliyu Yahaya


Dr. Shuaibu Shehu Aliyu is the current director of the house. [2] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]

Research

As a center for historical documentation and research, Arewa House is concerned with procuring, preserving, analyzing and discussing issues of national and international interest, and in particular with issues of specific interest to the development of northern Nigeria.

Arewa library in kaduna state Arewa House Library Kaduna.jpg
Arewa library in kaduna state

The history of Arewa House as a center for research and historical documentation goes back to 1970, when the History of Northern Nigerian Committee was given the responsibility of writing a book on the history of northern Nigeria. This was after the dissolution of the three regional governments in the country and the creation of twelve states, which also led to the establishment of the Joint Interim Common Services Agency (ICSA) to oversee the joint assets and liabilities of the six newly created northern states. It was in this respect that the residence of the late premier of the Northern region, Sir Ahmadu Bello Sardauna, was formally approved to serve as an office for this project, with the name "Arewa House".

Marble Office Marble office.jpg
Marble Office

A distinguished scholar, Professor Abdullahi Smith, founding member of the Department of History, A.B.U. was appointed as its first director. In 1975, the control of Arewa House was transferred to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria on the orders of the then Federal Government of Nigeria. Under Smith, a solid foundation was set that made Arewa House a unique place for research and historical documentation in the whole of West Africa. Arewa House Library has a core collection of books and manuscripts including higher degree dissertations from various universities in Nigeria and abroad. These dissertations cut across different fields of study, most particularly humanities and social sciences. Most are of thematic interest to the study of Northern Nigeria. These collections are further strengthened by a rare collection of Arabic manuscripts, premier's office records, government publications, newspapers and other serial publications, [13] [14] which are housed in the archives. The library also has special collections from prominent Nigerians who donated their collections.

Arewa House welcomes research students and provides research affiliation to students from all parts of the world conducting research on any aspects of the state and society in Northern Nigeria. It is also the established external center for regional development AREWA Center for Regional Development (ACRD), which was founded in June 2016 based on the United Nations (UN) documents of UNCRD - ECOSOC resolutions 1086 C of 18 June 1971 for the people of the northern region of Nigeria, popularly known in Hausa language as "Arewa". [15]

Arewa House has a moderate and affordable accommodation for researchers and non-researchers who are duly registered with it. Other facilities include a conference hall, training rooms, bookshop and restaurant.

Dr. Shu'aibu Shehu Aliyu, director Director Arewa House.jpg
Dr. Shu'aibu Shehu Aliyu, director
The garden consists of both natural and man-made trees and flowers. Arewa House Garden.jpg
The garden consists of both natural and man-made trees and flowers.
Tree in Arewa House garden A tree in Arewa House garden.jpg
Tree in Arewa House garden
Grasses and umbrella trees located at Arewa House garden Grasses and trees located at Arewa house Gallery Garden.jpg
Grasses and umbrella trees located at Arewa House garden

Structure and use

Arewa House is structured in four major departments for effective management: Research, Library, Archives and museum.

Arewa Museum houses cultural artifacts, photographs and books which are accessible to the public. It contains 19 satellite galleries which exhibit the culture and people of Northern Nigeria and also chronicle the life of Ahmadu Bello. It is presently the centre for historical documentation and research of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. [16]

Mandate of Arewa House

Entrance to the house of the premier Entrance to Sardauna's Gallary.jpg
Entrance to the house of the premier

Bibliography

Second gate of Arewa House from west side, facing Zaria Road Arewa House Second gate.jpg
Second gate of Arewa House from west side, facing Zaria Road

References

  1. "Arewa House Museum". arewahouse.abu.edu.ng. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Arewa House to honour notable men of integrity". Daily Trust. 2018-09-03. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  3. 1 2 Bashir, Ahmed Ikara (1991). Brochure for the transformation of Arewa House, Kaduna.
  4. "Home". arewahouse.ng. Archived from the original on May 18, 2021.
  5. "Arewa House: 50 years of northern heritage, research - Daily Trust". dailytrust.com. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  6. Abdullahi Mahadi; George Amale Kwanashie (1 January 1999). Leadership, Accountability, and the Future of Nigeria: Arewa House Lectures in Honour of Alhaji (Sir) Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, and Premier of the Northern Region of Nigeria. Arewa House, Ahmadu Bello University. ISBN   978-978-2368-79-9.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Arewa House Past Directors". centres.abu.edu.ng. Retrieved 2025-07-26.
  8. "Dr Shuaibu Shehu Aliyu is now Director of Arewa House". Daily Trust. 2018-02-23. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  9. "Arewa House advocates Northern Education Summit". Vanguard News. 2015-03-02. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  10. "Arewa House Centre Archives". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  11. "Buhari canvasses sound education sector built on values". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2019-07-10. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  12. "Arewa House | General view to Arewa House". Archnet. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  13. "Nigerian States". www.worldstatesmen.org. Retrieved 2020-12-28.
  14. Jibril A.A. & Makama V.L (2016): Information Resources Acquisition and Utilization at Arewa House, Kaduna-Nigeria, Journal of Applied Information science and technology, vol.9(1)p56
  15. "Home". arewaonline-ng.com.
  16. Ibraheem Hamza Muhammad (2 August 2015). "Arewa House: North's rallying centre begging for repairs, restocking". Daily Trust. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 4 September 2016.

10°33′11″N7°26′45″E / 10.5531°N 7.4458°E / 10.5531; 7.4458