A monument is a structure created to commemorate a person or events that have become important to a social group as a part of their remembrance of historic times or cultural heritage.
The most acceptable definition around the globe is that it is an architectural works of monumental sculptures, paintings, inscription, cave dwelling and combination of features, which are of outstanding universal value from the point of history and science.
Examples of monuments are defensive walls, moats, tombs, shrines, statues, causeways, bridges, monoliths (cave stone), sacred groves and nature landscape.
There are basically two types of monuments, namely: Man made monuments (cultural) and Nature monument. There are also two classes of monuments, namely:
Scheduled Monuments – monuments that have been properly documented and declared as National Monuments by Decree No 77 of 1979. There are 65 declared monuments in Nigeria.
The second is Unscheduled Monuments – these are historical monuments declared as monuments of national interest. There are one hundred and twelve national monuments that are awaiting declaration.
Among the 65 declared monuments, Bauchi state has seven and this discourse will centre on two of the monuments.
First Mining Beacon
The first Mining Beacon at Tilden Fulani, Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State was declared on 16th February, 1956 including the land within 30.48m radius. The site which was forgotten and overgrown with grasses was rediscovered at the end of 1955 when the people of the plateau were celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the arrival on Christmas eve in 1903 of the first expedition into the closed country of the high Plateau.
The beacon was set up by Late Col Henry Williams Law on 19th September 1905 accompanied by his assistants R.A.A Rchibold and S.W Carpenter. It
was a burnt bricks with cement rendering and bears the initials of the three men, the name of the mining company (the Niger company and the date 1905).
The site holds great historical value with regards to industrial development of Nigeria before independence.
Cairn of Stone
Cairn of Stone known as Kwadon Kaya is located at Panshanu in Toro local government area of Bauchi state. It was declared a national monument on 16th February, 1956. The area cover 91.4m radius off the centre of the cairn.
The heap of stones was to commemorate the subjugation of the pagan tribes of Panshanu Hills. The people of Kwandon Kaya were separated from Toro and Tulai to the hill of Panshanu. When they discovered that they have become strong, they rebelled against the distinct head, Sarkin Yaki Usman.
All these took place during the reign of Emir Ibrahim of Bauchi state. The situation became worrisome and very difficult for people to pass through the route by night.
Sarkin Yaki Usman with the permission of the Emir declared war on the people of Panshanu by setting up his camp on their farm land, cutting off
their food supply for over a year. He finally conquered them and captured 2400 people. It has historical and educational value.
Conclusion
The need for both the state and the future government to maintain these monuments cannot be overemphasised. With proper management of the monuments, it will attract a lot of tourists and visitors thereby generating huge revenue to the sector.
