Which Way Nigeria?

He buttressed this with the fact that the “Hausa-Fulani ‘empire’ in the state has grown in leaps and bounds. The bond between them is also likened to Siamese twins that have been joined by fate.”

Today, Obalende could boast of thousands of Hausa people, some of whom have inter-married with the local Yoruba population. Indeed, the Hausa have dominated prominent streets in the area such as Odo, Eleshin, Moshalashi, Ajeniya and Obalende road.

Some of the fruits produced by the inter-marriages between the Hausa and the locals have also given the Hausa a measure of dominance and relevance in the environment.

“Unlike other Hausa communities in Lagos and environs, Obalende stands out. It is hard to witness any fight or crisis between us and other tribes like Yoruba. We have co-existed for several years without crisis. We have mosques and churches in Obalende and no one takes up arms with his neighbours over religious issue.

“We have inter-married and culturally exchanged among ourselves. I have lots of Yoruba and Ibo friends here. This affords me the opportunity to speak and dress like Yoruba and Ibo man. To me, Obalende is the centre of Nigeria in Lagos,” Abdullahi, a Hausa resident of Obalende told our correspondent.

Many people spoken to said one thing that is difficult to take away from the Hausa community in Obalende is their love for mosque and timeliness in observing their prayers. “That is why they have their mini-mosques around with congregation to facilitate people access to places of worship,” said a resident, who added that “Besides, the closeness of Obalende Community to Dodan Military Barrack, former seat of power, also guarantees some level of peace and tranquillity among the Hausa in the area.”

Speaking, 40-year-old Christopher Anani, who was born in Obalende, also confirmed the age-long bond that existed between the Hausa and other ethnic groups in Obalende.

According to him, he grew up among the Hausa community in Obalende, who showered him with love and treated him and his siblings as their sons and daughters.

“I cannot count the number of Hausa friends I have in Obalende while growing up and now. Despite our different religious belief, they always throw their doors open and are ever-ready to render assistance to you. It is great to live and grow up here in Obalende because it offered me the opportunity to understand certain ethnic groups, especially the Hausa better.”

Apart from the modest and simple architecture with which Hausa build their houses in Obalende, the people also excell in commerce and trading in the area.

Odo street in Obalende is famous for delicious suya and has been there for several years courtesy of these Hausa traders, who have given Lagosians a whole new idea of how roasted meat should be enjoyed.

Little wonder, prominent people travelled far and near to Odo street to buy suya every day. Most of the early sellers of suya have bequeathed the business to their offspring who are now growing in number.

A suya seller, who craved anonymity, said that he has been doing the business in the area for over six years. He said the spot is very advantageous to the business hence the number of customers who troop to him daily to buy suya.

“I think Odo street is a moving spot for suya business. Suya is one of the things that made Hausa people popular not only in Obalende but also in Lagos. Different kinds of people buy suya from us every day and we are proud of this job.”

Suya sellers share similar boundaries with commercial motorcycle operators, popularly called okada riders, many of who are Hausa. They are at beck and call of customers who need a ride to any part of the area in Obalende and outside it.

The growing patronage of suya has also caused increase in the number of okada riders, who milled around Odo street.

Another area of trading the Hausa flourished in Obalende is in the area of selling rice, tuwo shinkafa, kunu, tea, fried plantain and yam. Inhabitants of Obalende mostly depend on the Hausa for these services.

A plantain seller, who identified herself as Hajiya said she has been doing the business for over five years and has no regret “because it is giving me and my family our daily bread.”

Tailoring and cloth weaving are professions the Hausa in Obalende have established their presence. One in every four best sowed or weaved robes and gowns in the heart of Lagos is a product of Obalende, a resident boasted to Weekly Trust. “This explains why several customers patronize these tailors.”

one of them told our correspondent, adding that the beauty of their excellence is premised on commitment and skills on the job.

“We learnt the skills of weaving and tailoring and gave our best on the job. We also put Allah first and last in all we do. Besides, we feel we have a name to protect so we don’t cheat our customers in terms of charges and quality of our service.”

Mohammed Haruna, one of the tailors, said he enjoys what he is doing because it has brought him comfort. He said he has been doing the job for close to ten years and have no cause to regret doing tailoring and being among the Hausa community in Obalende.

Another job that thrives in Obalende is water vending, which is also being done by the Hausa. These hawkers have not only increased in number but have also devised more amenable trucks to serve their customers in the community well.

Most people in the community depend on the hawkers to supply them water at their doorstep at affordable price.

One of the hawkers told our correspondent that hawking water in Obalende is better than roaming about the streets of Lagos without any job.

“My prayer is that after doing this job for some years I will save enough money to rent affordable shop here or own a mobile shop and start selling provisions.”

The Hausa community in Obalende also cherishes alms giving to the poor, thereby drawing so many people, including non-Hausa, to the area.

Source Weekly Trust