POSTAL AND TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES IN KANO STATE FROM THE COLONIAL TO THE CONTEMPORARY TIMES

1.Introduction: Prior to the advent of colonialism and colonial overlords in Nigeria, an indigenous system of communication was already well-established in the traditional Kingdoms. The royalty operated a postal system of relays on caravans of camels, horses and donkeys. The Alaafins of old Oyo Empire had Ilaris; the Emirs in the Hausa land had the Dagaris (plural) and the Tor Tivs of Tivland had Adugeri or Amashinja (plurals)- borrowed words from lexicon of the Hausa and the English languages respectively into the Tiv Language’s lexicon. These were the royaltys’ message bearers who conveyed important messages from one kingdom to another on behalf of the paramount rulers of the kingdoms. However, with the coming of the colonialists, the traditional mode of communication was relegated to the back-ground, following the introduction of the European modern modes of communication.

2.The European modern mode of communication: The Europeans introduced the postal and telecommunication services in Nigeria to facilitate communication between the colonialists and the home authorities in London; to promote trade, and to enhance colonial administration.
3.Introduction of Postal Communication services in Kano.
Postal communication services in Kano date back to the 18th Century, following the construction of the railway line for the conveyance of raw materials from the hinterland to the Atlantic ocean for shipment to Europe to feed the hungry machines during British industrial revolution. The western rail line i.e. Lagos –North bound rail line also got extended to Kano. The establishment of Postal facilities in Kano followed the pattern of the railway line. Mails were collected and delivered through the use of trains. At every railway station, there was a postal agency according to