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Jukun Supreme leader, Aku Uka Manu Ishaku Adda Ali
By HRH Dr. Sabo Azyjidoku Emmanuel
In Mathematics, when you raise something to the power of something, is to multiply an amount by itself, a particular number of times. For instance, when ‘5’ is raised to the power of ‘3’ is 125 (= 5 x 5 x 5); or the number of times that an amount is to be multiplied by itself: ‘6’ to the power of ‘3’ is 63 (= 6 x 6 x 6 = 216). Here, to multiply means “to
increase or make something increase very much in number or amount, to produce in large numbers”. Compatibility is “the ability of people or things to live or exist together without problems” Therefore, when a number of people is raised, their power is multiplied and they form a formidable force to be reckoned with. That was the strength of the Kwararafa people of old. This compatibility waxed stronger and stronger
until the gradual decline of its might. After all, no empire lasts forever.
The Kwararafa Empire, then, by this mathematical strength, vis- a-vis those of their opponents; were solidly unshakable. This multiethnic state
and or confederacy centred along the Benue River valley in what is today’s Central Nigeria. It was located south west of the Bornu Empire and South of the Hausa states. They rose to prominence before 1500 and were in conflict with their more powerful neighbours in the 17 Century and was reduced to a small tribute state by the 18th century. It is believed that Kwararafa was either a confederacy conquest state that
was led by the Jukun people or perhaps a collective name given by their Muslim foes for a number of pagan peoples to their South.
The disintegration process that ensued led to the dispersal of this hitherto multiethnic state which encompassed the legions of tribes such as: Igala, Idoma, Alago, Agatu, Egbira, Etulo, Goemai, Mada, Eggon, Koro, Nupe etc, to various directions, out of the centre. At Wukari, under its founder Katakpa, the Wapan and today’s subset of the Jukun Wanu or Banu coexisted together with absolute compatibility. Then, the general name, identity was Wapan. There was no name or subset of the Jukunoid known as Banu or Wanu (Awanu). The name Banu or Wanu was adopted, when the armies that led the invasion/war mission at Idah; (the traditional home land of the Igala people, where the Attah of Igala
reigns) on their return, could not reach Wukari, decided to take to their new found occupation – Fishing. Thence, they localized or confined
themselves with aquatic discoveries, adventures, exploits or expansionism. This new abode gave these crops of returnees from Idah, the name Banu or Wanu today; which implies those Jukun people of the reverine settlements.
According to HRM Dr. Shekarau Masa-ibi Angyu, Kuvyo V, Aku Uka of Wukari, the riverine Jukun-Wanu people were the first to have had contact with the European explorers. That it was the Wanu (Banu) that introduced the whites to the Wapan brothers in Wukari. This was possible then, because penetration into the hinterland in this part of the world was through or by water ways. The Wanu insisted that their elder brother, their father lives in Wukari hence the reason for taking the Europeans to Aku Uka. This revelation was made when some elders from Abinsi paid him visit in Wukari, sometimes in 2012. Aku Uka
emphasised on the need for unity amongst all Kwararafa groups. He hammered on the need for unity, synergistically, a strong waxing relationship between Wapan and Wanu in particular. Legend had it that, in the pre-colonial era, the Abiseku of Abinsi (Abise) as it was practicable, sat close to Aku Uka by way of ranking in the kingdom. To buttress this fact, in the early 1980s when the Wanu in Ibi town, had some feuds, tiffs, skirmishes or vendetta with their Wapan brothers of Wukari, the Aku Uka drew the attention of the Abiseku of Abinsi, HRH Manu Sabo Azyjidoku. The Abiseku responded immediately and summoned a meeting in Abinsi with representation from nearly all Jukun Wanu towns, the Ibi brothers in attendance. That became the watershed
in the hulabaloo of the family saga.
Marriage, culturally, being an instrument of integration has been enjoyed over times between the Wapan and Wanu. On record, Aku Uka,
HRM Manu Atoshi Agbumanu married Mama Ayoku Atunsha, daughter to Abiseku, HRH. Azyjidoku Agabi. Apart from this spectacular and outstanding marriage, many marriages abound to this day between the Wapan and the Wanu fraternity.
Just as it is with every or any family, there must be senior and junior. The Wapan group for sure are the elders and Aku Uka for ever is the King, the father of all in the brotherhood. As elder brothers, the Wapan must ensure that their younger brothers who are the Wanu, whether within or outside Wukari environs, be made to enjoy the touch of brotherly warmth. In return, the Wanu whose customary are of humane
blood must keep to standards and maintain the status quo. That is just the latitude, no alternative. It is no brainier.
Both Wapan and Wanu are indispensable. There are a lot to benefit from one another. In time of needs, they can always avail themselves in areas of job opportunities, wealth creation, administration, cultural integration or revival, adventurism and supports. The Kwararafa
spirit should unite the Jukun people all the more. This compatibility will surely chase the traditional or common enemy of the Jukun race; the
Kwararafa family, away. The CRC-N transfer saga, as it is natural with the Wanu people, must have gone with the flows of water. Consider that
as a typical human error. To err is human and to forgive is divine. After all, all spiritual matters have spiritual solutions. Praise God.
By the time the Jukun Wapan, Jukun Wanu, Jukun kona, Jukun Kpanzo, other subsets and the entirety of the dreaded Kwararafa People Assembly in their Kwaaiest mood of hurricane force wind, storm any menacing brutes, their waterloo, is in no doubt, defined. The Kwa group
in their multitude, not only Jukun Wapan or Jukun Wanu, as all hands are on deck, shall raise the relationship to the power of COMPATIBILITY, first, and victory shall be for them all, as the number,
that is being raised, multiplies by itself in harmony, love, unity, and progress beneath their dignity in the brotherhood.
God, save your people and their Nation.
Wapan, kyabe nin? Ni ci sasan wa dini, anwuzaa.
Wanu, ni kyabe? Ni shi sasa wa dini, azheh yih.
