WELCOME TO THE OFFICIAL RESIDENT OF SIR AHMADU BELLO

The ministry of work built the minister’s homes in kaduna with PWD style wive’s quarters behind. Thus the sarduna’s home had building in front and the four units behind in the traditional style for wives

At the same time, the sardauna comes to regard his office and personal staff as part of his extended family, and expects them to greet him and to take some meals with him. The evening open house at the Sardauna’s home are occasionally obligatory for the northerners. In general, the civil servants forom the Sokoto Caliphate areas, plus some of the middle belters, attends these functions, while the borno contingent (which is considerable) tends to be more aloof. Most of the political figure (e.g Ministers) attends these meals.

According to same observers, the Sardauna could not eat alone and there were usually at least thirty in the group while he was eating. If work began at 7:30 am, they will break for breakfast at about 9:30- 10:00 a.m (for rice, eggs, kidney, liver, fura). Lunch would be at 1:00 or 1:30 p.m (e.g Rice, Porridge, tuwon shinkafa Beans, Potatoes, Salad, etc). Dinner would be about 8:30 p.m with the same fare as Lunch. In the late afternonn the Sardauna often plays Fives, and some of his regulars partners are in the civil service. The schedule and regimen are similar in many ways to the Katsina College Days. The difference is that the evening meals became long “THINK TANK” discussion which last well into night. After which the Sardauna works on his files, gets a few hours’ sleep, and is up again by 5:00 am

Part of the work ethos of this period is the Sardauna’s insistence that the personal/private/family problems should not be brought to the office. He respects performance from his staff, regardless of whatever else is going on in their lives. Partly to compensate for the family stress this on genders (and often jealously of the families). The Sardauna often drives out in the late afternoons and visit the family of his officers. He gives them gifts and takes an interest in the children.

The esprit which develops in the premier’s office and the loyalty and commitment which result in extremely high, and may account for the high level of performance under the rudimentary conditions. The constant need for “touring” to see first hand, what is going on in the province and gather and disseminate information produces a some what nomadic life style for many. The office joke is that Fulani are supposed to be nomadic!