A POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC HISTORY OF AN URBAN SETTLEMENT: A CASE STUDY OF KAWO. KADUNA 1913 – 1980

A POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC HISTORY OF AN URBAN SETTLEMENT: A CASE STUDY OF KAWO. KADUNA 1913 – 1980

Abstract:

This thesis, in an attempt to locate the genesis of the socio-economic crisis that currently besets Kawo; traces and analyses the growth it (Kawo) experienced as an urban settlement under the colonial and early post-colonial envnronment. Although the thesis focuses on the period 1913 to 1980, a background analysis of the origin and the socio-economic set up in Kawo in the pre-1913 era is treated in some detail. The process involved in the establishment and growth of Kaduna during the period between 1913 and 191+5 is examined. In this regard we stressed that the colonialists established Kaduna (obviously) in an area where indigenous settlements were already in existence. And that right from the moment Kaduna was established (in 1913) it started having visible impact on these pre-existing settlements. In particular, we considered how Kawo was encouraged to meet the food needs of the colonial capital from 1913. But in order to reduce cost (and thus enhance the expropriation of absolute surplus value to the capitalist metropolis) the British kept Kawo (and other satelite settlements) outside the administrative framework of the Kaduna township from 1913. In fact it was exigencies that subsequently forced them to integrate the satelite settlements (including Kawo) within the Kaduna township political set up. We argue that the manner of administrative intergration of Kawo to Kaduna was disadvantageous to the latter since it significantly contributed to its (Kawo’s) neglect in terms of the provision of social amenities etc, right from the onset. We further demonstrate that even in the face of neglect (that characterised most of the colonial era here) the land of Kawo farmers was been expropriated for projects primarily meant to advance the colonial cause. The method by which these projects (particularly those related to the military) influenced the transformation of Kawo from a homogenous society to a heterogenous society and from an agarian society to a service oriented society, etc, is examined. We also examine the administrative changes associated with these. Attempts are also made to analyse the factors that made Kawo experience its most rapid growth as an urban settlement within the post colonial era i.e. specifically between 1960-1980. The role of the urban administration and Kawo residents etc, in the poor housing condition, poor sanitation, etc, in the study area, among other issues, are also examined in this study.

A POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC HISTORY OF AN URBAN SETTLEMENT: A CASE STUDY OF KAWO. KADUNA 1913 – 1980

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