Azare is one of Bauchi largest town. Read of a city with rich cultural heritage, renowned educational institutions, and welcoming atmosphere.
Visiting Azare can be a bit cumbersome for non-Hausa speakers. As a city in Bauchi, Hausa is the most popularly spoken dialect there. There are some English speakers, but knowing how to speak Hausa is an advantage.
A city boasting a wealth of amenities. This historic town is invested in for a smooth stay.
Bauchi is a state known for its tourist attractions. Azare strikes me for its accommodating and diverse nature. The town is welcoming, irrespective of religion or ethnicity.
Azare is located in Bauchi state. A state well known for its tourism sites, it earned the moniker "Pearl of Tourism.”
The state is situated in the North Eastern geopolitical zone of Nigeria. In land mass, Bauchi state is the fifth largest in the area and also doubles as the fifth most populous.
Major Tribes in Bauchi
There are over fifty-five (55) Tribal Groups in Bauchi. The main tribes are Hausa, Fulani, Gerawa, Sayawa, Jarawa, Bolewa, Karekare, Kanuri, Fa’awa, Butawa, Warjawa, Zulawa, and Badawa.
Some languages in Bauchi are either extinct or endangered because of the switch to the dominant Hausa culture. Some of these ethnicities are the Ajawa, Zangwal, Labur, Deguza, Fyem, Gamo-Ningi (Buta), Geji, Guruntum, Gyem, Kubi, Kudu Camo, and Polci. These ethnicities acculturate to the dominant Hausa culture in the state.
People’s cultures share similarities, such as language, occupational practices, festivals, and dresses. Ethnic groups interact extensively, especially in marriage and economic existence.
Festival in Bauchi
Major festivals in Bauchi include the Bauchi State Festival of Arts and Culture (BAFEST) and Durbar.
Bafest features a display of various traditions of the state's people, including traditional dances, music, arts and crafts, fashion designs, inventions, and innovations. This is a state event organized for the local government.
Durbar in Bauchi features a parade of horses from the Eid prayer ground to the palace of the traditional rulers, where horse racing and other displays of horsemanship take place.
The people are well known for traditional wrestling (Kokowa) and boxing dexterity (Dambe).
Other festivals performed by other tribes in Bauchi such as the Warji ethnic groups, Afizere dance a traditional dance of the Jarawa people of Toro Local Government, Takai dance, which is popular among the Hausa-Fulanis, Ngat-al-Bajar dance popular among the people of Dass Local Government, Lawurba dance peculiar to Sayawa people of Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro Local Governments, and Amanya, a naming ceremony festival among the Badawa people in Zaki Local Government.
A Brief History of Azare
Mallam Zaki founded the town of Azare. In the year 1814, he received his flag office from Shehu Usman Danfodio to start a town. Mallam ruled from 1807 to 1914.
Location of Azare
Azare serves as the headquarters of Katagum Local Government in Bauchi State.
The boundary of Azare City includes Damban Local Government and Potiskum Yobe State to the east, Misau Local Government to the south, Jama'are Local Government at its west, and to the north by way of Itas/Gadau Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
The primary economic activity of Azare is agriculture. There are a good number of facilities, such as markets, hotels, and hospitals.
Religion and Ethnicities in Azare
The city is celebrated as diverse in both religion and ethnicity. There are two main religions in Azare: Islam (approximately 99%) and Christianity (approximately 1%). These religions coexist in the town and engage in different activities together.
Ethnic groups are pluralistic, comprising Fulan, Hausa, and Kare-Kare; like other towns in Bauchi, Hausa is widely spoken. This has dominated Azare since the end of the 19th century.
What is Azare Known For?
This is the second largest city in Bauchi state. Azare is home to the Federal Medical Centre, Azare, the Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare (FUHSA), the Federal Government College, the College of Education, and the Azare airstrip.
Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare (FUHSA)
The university was set to produce high-quality healthcare and medical professionals in 2021. The faculties include Basic Medical Sciences, dentistry, and Allied Health Sciences.
Federal Medical Centre, Azare
This health institution, situated in Azare, was established in 2000. It provides healthcare services, training, and research and is supervised by the Federal Ministry of Health.
There are ongoing discussions about the possibility of using the hospital for the clinical training of the FUHSA students.
The Federal Government College Azare
This is a co-educational day and boarding, basic, and post-basic institution owned by the Federal Ministry of Education. The school has four departments and is equipped with educational facilities.
Azare Airstrip
The airstrip, also known as Bauchi Airport, is located in Azare. It is 10 kilometers long and has one runway, which reduces shear stress. The runway surface is made of asphalt.
The airport is about 198.2km, i.e. (2h 16m), away from Bauchi, the state capital.
Aminu Sale College of Education Azare
Aminu Saleh College of Education is a state-owned higher education institution located in Azare. Established in 1977, it offers NCE and degree programs affiliated with the University of Maiduguri.
Market in Azare
There are two markets in Azare: Old Market Azare and New Market Azare.
Recently, the government of Bauchi approved the construction of the multi-million naira Azare Ultra-Modern Market, which will include 648 shops, stalls, warehouses, a poultry section, cold rooms, a fire service, and a security outpost, among other facilities.
Personalities from Azare
There are notable people from Azare. These personalities hail from or grew up in Azare. Their impact is felt in the country and state at large.
Sadique Baba Abubakar: He is a decorated retired air marshal in the Nigerian Air Force and former Chief of the Air Staff of Nigeria.
Mallam Adamu Adamu CON: He is a Nigerian accountant, journalist, and politician who served as the minister of Education from 2015 to 2023. He was conferred the Nigerian national honor of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022.
Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, CFR: He is a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) under President Umaru Yar'Adua of Nigeria. He also served as a civil servant and politician who served as Defence Minister of Nigeria.
Dr Musa Babayo: He is a Nigerian banker, businessman, politician, and elder statesman.
Sheikh Kabir Ahmad Azare: A Nigerian Islamic scholar, preacher, and leader of the Council of Ulama' of JIBWIS Katagum Zone. He was known for his vast knowledge of the Quran, Hadith, Fiqh, and Arabic language and his eloquent and captivating lectures.
Mariam Yalwaji Katagum: He was Nigeria's Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment and served as Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Nigeria to UNESCO.
Stephen Okechukwu Keshi: This legendary Nigerian manager and player was born in Azare. He has won the Africa Cup of Nations as both a player and a coach.
Conclusion
Azare continues to extend beyond being the second-largest city in Bauchi. The city blooms with renowned educational institutions and an upcoming ultra-modern market; Azare is a city on the rise.
If you're looking for a destination that offers a glimpse into Nigerian culture and a taste of progress, consider adding Azare to your travel itinerary.