History Paper 2 WASSCE (SC), 2017

Question 4

    Highlight any five contributions of Muhammed Bello to the Sokoto Caliphate.

Observation

This was a fairly popular question.  Only a few of the candidates got it right while a large number of       them could not establish who Muhammed Bello was and the contributions he made. To get good          mark, candidates were expected to mention the following points:

(i)         Muhammed Bello consolidated the territorial gains of Usman Dan Fodio.
(ii)        He reconciled with Abdullahi by ensuring relative peace within the caliphate.
(iii)       He made Sokoto a great centre of Islamic Education and brought reputed Muslim scholars to his courts.
(iv)       He made personal and intellectual contributions through his writing of books.
(v)        He united racial groups and ensured equal treatment for them.
(vi)       He attempted to stamp out corruption and enforced good laws.
(vii)      He promoted justice and fair taxation.
(viii)     He carried out administrative reforms.
(ix)       He also reorganized the army and put an end to military repression of the peasants.