By Gbenga Akingbule
It was a sea of excitement as Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, on Tuesday, presented the staff of office to the new Shehu of Bama, (Dr) Umar Kyari Umar ElKanemi in Bama town.
Gatekeepers News reports that this is the second presentation of Staff of Office carried out by Governor Zulum in one week. This follows the earlier presentation of the staff of the office to the Shehu of Dikwa, Alh. Ibrahim Ibn Umar El-Kanemi in Dikwa town on Sunday.
The emergence of the 2nd Shehu of Bama followed the demise of his father, Alhaji (Dr) Shehu Kyari Ibn Ibrahim ElKanemi after 30 years of reign.
The occasion attracted the presence of top traditional rulers and other top dignitaries who waited in Maiduguri since Sunday after attending the ceremony in Dikwa town.
The traditional rulers include his eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III; Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Garbai Elkanemi; the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, Emir of Fika, Dr Muhammadu Abali Ibn Muhammadu Idrissa and the Emir of Lafiya, Hon. Justice Sidi Bage and other top traditional rulers from across the country.
According to the Governor, “I am delighted to join the people of Bama Emirate on the auspicious occasion of the Presentation of Staff of Office to the 1st Class Shehu of Bama, His Royal Highness, (Dr) Umar Kyari Umar ElKanemi. I wish to congratulate Your Royal Highness on your emergence as the Shehu of Bama. We have no doubt that with your pedigree and experience as a leader, you will offer inspired leadership for Bama Emirate,” Zulum stated.
The governor charged the monarch to continue to unify the people of his emirate and carry all the ruling houses along while remaining open and receptive to positive contributions from all relevant stakeholders.
He acknowledged that his administration is 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 complement 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,” he added.
Governor Zulum reiterated that his administration will continue to pursue policies and programmes that will improve the quality of life of the people in line with Borno State’s 25-year Development Framework and 10-year Strategic Transformation Plan.
Zulum announced plans to close down the Bama IDP camp and resettle the people of Daral Jamal, Tarmua, Mayanti, Bula Yobe, Abbaram, Goniri and Kumshe by 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”, he assured.
The governor paid tribute to his late father, the 1st Shehu of Bama, Alhaji Dr Shehu Kyari Ibn Umar Elkanemi who had contributed immensely to the successes in different sectors of the state, especially in the critical areas of education, preventive healthcare, peacebuilding and mass mobilization.
He expressed confidence that the new Shehu will consolidate on the solid foundation already put in place by his late father.
The Governor commended Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, under whose leadership construction of Bama town started.
He appreciated the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, and other traditional rulers within and from neighbouring countries of Chad and Cameroon for attending the event.
The Shehu of Bama, (Dr) Umar Kyari Umar ElKanemi promised to continue to build bridges of understanding, support government policies for sustainable peace and development of the area.
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.
