The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad III and 45 other traditional rulers on Tuesday attended the coronation of the 2rd Shehu of Bama, Alhaji Umar Kyari El-Kanemi, as a first class Shehu.
The El-Kenemi’s coronation which took place at Bama Stadium was also attended by Amb. Babagana Kingibe, and former governor of Borno, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff.
Also in attendance were the Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Mohammed Monguno, Sen. Mohammed Ali Ndume and Sen. Kaka Lawan.
Others were Emirs and traditional rulers from within Nigeria and the neighbouring countries as well as the former Chief of Army Staff, Lit.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.
Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno shortly after presenting the Staff of Office to El-Kanemi said his government was proud of the Shehu’s “embellished character and integrity.”
The governor also paid tribute to the Shehu’s late father, Alhaji Kyari Ibn Ibrahim El-Kanemi for his immense contribution to the critical sectors in the state.
Zulum said that the late El-kanemi had contributed immensely to the state’s successes in different sectors in the critical areas of education, preventive healthcare, peace building and mass mobilisation.
He urged the monarch to continue to unify the people of his emirate, carry all the ruling houses along, while remaining open and receptive to positive contributions from all relevant stakeholders.
The governor said his appointment as the Shehu of Bama was a step toward bringing justice closer to the people.
“We have no doubt that with your pedigree and experience as a leader, you will offer inspired leadership for Bama Emirate,” Zulum said.
He said his administration was conscious of the positive role that traditional rulers play in promoting greater understanding and peaceful co-existence among the people.
“Your contributions have been most appreciable and rewarding in the mobilisation of our citizens to compliment government efforts especially in the areas of self help.
“Members of the community have immensely contributed to the socio-economic and political regeneration, peace and stability which we enjoy and assured our corporate existence as a state,” the governor added.
Zulum said his administration would continue to pursue policies and programmes that would improve quality of life of the people in line with Borno’s 25 year Development Framework and 10 year Strategic Transformation Plan.
He announced plans to close down Bama IDP camp and resettle the people of Daral Jamal, Tarmua, Mayanti, Bula Yobe, Abbaram, Goniri and Kumshe before the end of the year.
“I have released funds for the restoration of electricity to Bama and will want to assure you that Gwoza town will also be electrified,” the governor said.
He expressed confidence that the monarch would consolidate on the solid foundation already put in place by his late father.
Zulum commended Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, under whose leadership construction of Bama town started.
He appreciated the Sultan and other traditional rulers within and from neighbouring countries of Chad and Cameroon for attending the event.
The governor also commended the Vice-President Kashim Shettima for his contribution to the resettlement of Bama, saying this was because it was under his leadership that Bama town was completely reconstructed.
He commended the former Chief of Army Staff, Lit.- Gen. Tukur Buratai, whom he said has contributed immensely toward the resettlement of Bama during his tenure as the service chief.
In his address, the Shehu of Bama also promised to continue to build bridges of understanding, support government policies for sustainable peace and development of the emirate.
He commended the governor for the timely resettlement of displaced communities, provided inputs and agro-chemicals to farming communities and livelihood to victims of insurgency.
The monarch said over the last one decade Bama was one of the hardest hit by Boko Haram insurgents in the state.
He pointed out that the peace relative peace being experienced Bama today was as a result of the effort of the gallant resiliency of the Armed Forces.
“We are now enjoying a relative peace in the Emirate and continued to pray for the Almighty Allah’s support to the government of Borno State.
“We will continue to build bridges of Understanding foster peaceful coexistence and support government policies to ensure sustainable peace and development of our emirate, the state and the country in general,” monarch said.
He also thanked President Bola Tinubu and the Vice-President Kashim Shettima for their commitments toward the development of the national security.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the monarch who was born in Bama town in 1985, was appointed the Shehu of Bama on May 4, 2020 to succeed his late father who had been on throne for 30 years before his death.
The monarch obtained Higher National Diploma in Civil Law and blessed with a number of children.
Bama Local Government Area is the second largest town in Borno, after Maiduguri metropolis, otherwise called Yerwa.
The name Bama according to historical records was derived from the word “Bam ma”, which means Highland in Kanuri language.
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