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Tag: Etsu Nupe

  • Etsu Nupe talks culture in New York

    After a recommendation by the Commonwealth Business Women Network Nigeria, led by Mrs. Afoma Clara Adigwe in New York and Canada, the Etsu Nupe, Chairman Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, and Chairman Coordinating Committee of National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, HRH (DR) Yahaya Abubakar CFR has been confirmed as the Guest Speaker at the Commonwealth Africa Forum which will hold in both countries respectively.

    According to information, the monarch will also bag an Award of Excellence for his outstanding contributions towards Culture, Agriculture and Food Security in Africa from the Commonwealth Africa Initiative (CAI).

    The traditional ruler will also be speaking at the event which holds between  October 9 to 12 in Toronto, themed Africa Open for Business.

    In the same vein, the highly respected monarch will discuss the mutually reinforcing linkages between sustaining peace and prosperity in Africa and the 2030 agenda at the Africa Forum in New York which is aimed at bringing together Africa and North American business leaders representing multi-nationals, large corporations, SMEs, confederations, and multilateral and regional institutions. The session will also have a question and answer segment and a high level one-hour panel on September 28, 2018 in New York.

    The Africa Forum is organized by The Commonwealth Africa Initiative, a Pan Commonwealth Organisation based in London.

  • Eid-el-Kabir: Etsu Nupe urges District heads to mobilise subjects to get PVC

    The Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar has urged District heads and other stakeholders in the area to mobilise their subjects to register in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) to enable them exercise their right during the 2019 general elections and beyond.

    Alhaji Abubakar made the call in his Eid-el-Kabir Sallah message to the people in Bida praying ground on Tuesday.

    The Etsu Nupe and Chairman Niger state Council of Chiefs says the Permanent Voter Card ( PVC), is the only power the electorate can use  to vote the credible candidates of their choices, ”The PVC is a very potent weapon to either vote in or vote out any candidates seeking to occupy any elective offices.

    “Without it, one would not be able to exercise his due constitutional responsibility of casting his or her vote in the nation’s electoral process.”

    Read Also: Eid-el-Kabir: Peace remains most critical need – Ishaku

    The Monarch therefore admonished the people of the state and indeed Nigerians to strive to collect the PVCs as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is still distributing the cards .

    He reiterated the importance of the voter card, saying it could not be over-emphasised in the socio-economic development of the country, hence the need for eligible sons and daughters of the area to register.

    He added that “as the nation’s general elections draw closer, I appeal to village heads, district heads and other stakeholders to mobilize eligible voters to register and get their voter cards so as not to get disenfranchised in the 2019 general elections and beyond.

    Abubakar then appealed to Nigerians to shun all acts capable of breaching peace and unity calling on Muslims across the country to use the opportunity provided by the Eid- el-Kabir celebration to rebuild the fabric of national unity and reaffirm Nigeria’ s common destiny as an indivisible entity .

    The Royal Father called on citizens to build bridges of brotherhood to harness the benefits of earthly life and the ultimate purpose of the nation’s unity.

     

  • Muslims, sustain your good acts after Ramadan – Etsu Nupe

    Muslims, sustain your good acts after Ramadan – Etsu Nupe

    The Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has urged Muslims to sustain their good acts and behaviour beyond the one-month period of the Ramadan fast.

    He made the call while addressing his subjects who visited him in his Wadata Palace on Saturday in Bida, Niger.

    He said “we should strive to maintain our God-fearing acts which we exhibited during the fasting period.

    “As Muslims, we must strive to maintain all the good deeds we showed during the fasting period and shun the evil and devilish acts we abstained from during the Holy month.

    “Such good behaviours include abstaining from adultery, cheating, stealing, alcoholism, drug abuse and other secret sins.

    “I pray that almighty Allah accepts our prayers and the Ramadan fast and urge the Muslim Ummah never to return to abominable acts after the fast.”

    The monarch said it was only with the fear of Allah that Muslims would meet their needs and enjoy their possessions on earth.

    He appealed to well-to-do Muslims in the country to assist the less privileged with food items and other basic needs.

    He also urged Muslims to always pray for national peace and progress and tolerate one another for sustained unity in the country.

    He noted that the two major religions in the country preached peace, unity and love, stressing that without peace and unity, socio-economic development would continue to elude any society devoid of it.

    The royal father called on leaders at all levels to lead the people with the fear of God, saying “leaders should always remember that they would all account for their deeds on the day of reckoning.”

  • Bida agog as Etsu Nupe honours IGP Idris, others

    Bida agog as Etsu Nupe honours IGP Idris, others

    Three men and a boy french-kissed, romanced and inserted live snakes inside their boxers as they danced to the cheering of an amazed crowd. With them were another magical group using very sharp swords, knives on their bodies with no sign of injury.

    These were some of the performance at the palace of the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar  on Saturday, where hundreds of dignitaries from across the country converged for the monarch’s 13th anniversary/civic reception in honour of the Inspector General of Police  (IGP) Ibrahim Idris and other illustrious Nupe indigenes.

    Idris was also honoured at his hometown, Kutigi on Sunday as his kinsmen gave him souvenirs, such as handfans, mats and fabric with his name inscribed on them.

    At the ceremonies were the Governors of Cross River and Edo State, Prof. Ben Ayade and Godwin Obaseki; Niger State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ketso; Chairman, Police Service Commission  (PSC) IGP Mike Okiro  (rtd); former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Idris Kutigi; former IGP Suleiman Abba; Former Deputy Governor, Niger State, Mohammed Ibeto, the Olukpoti of Ikpoti-Ekiti, James Oladipupo; Prof. Ibrahim Adamu Kolo; former Sports Minister, Alhaji Sani Ndanusa, Pro-Chancellor, IBB University, Alhaji Mohammed Kodo Santuraki and Chairman, All Progressives Congress’ (APC), Kano State, Prince Abdulahi Abbas.

    Others include Deputy Inspector Generals of Police (DIG) Maigari Dikko, Joshak Habila, HM Dagala, SL Gambo, Assistant Inspector-Generals of Police (AIG) Lawal Shehu and Ali Amodu (rtd.); Commissioners of Police (CP) Rabiu Yusuf, Emmanuel Amore, Kabiru Muazu, Alikali Shaba, Zaki Mohammed and UU Shehu, as well as traditional rulers from the Eastern and Southern parts of the country.

    Aside the snake and knife dancers, the Nupe masquerades, Ndakogbaya, costumed like a plan

    stone, marvelled the guests with its performance, just as warriors exhibited their skills. There was also a group of fishermen, who left the invitees in awe after a live fish was ‘caught’ on the stage which had no water.

    Thanking the President for appointing Idris, Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello urged youths to eschew violence.

    Bello who was represented by his deputy, Ketso appealed to the youths to shun alcohol, noting that it could influence them to act negatively.

    He also tasked them to pray for IGP Idris, the state and the nation at large for peace and stability, assuring that the government would do all within its power to deliver democratic dividends.

    Okiro: I was invited by the Etsu Nupe for his 13th anniversary on the throne. We are here to celebrate with his highness and then receive one of our own, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris.

    Ayade who commended the Etsu for introducing the Nupe Foundation ICT Centre, noted that such initiatives would advance knowledge and drive development.

    He said: “I am particularly pleased with the ICT project by the Etsu Nupe, which is knowledge based and the future of the world. This is a lesson for us as Governors, to recognise the fact that autonomous based communities and ethnic nationalities are veritable channels to programme a better future for our youths and next generation.

    “I think Niger State is very qualified to start up their own carnival because they have diverse cultural heritage. I believe the time has come for them to start thinking of a cultural carnival of some sort. I have seen that the Nupe people have very wonderful culture that we, the people of Cross River would have to learn. I confirmed that the Nupe people are predominantly warriors when I watched the dance and different performances. The people of Cross River State are very proud to identify with the IGP.”

    Obaseki described the event as remarkable, colourful and significant, adding that the Nupe Kingdom, like Benin, has strongly rooted ancient cultures.

    He said: “On the part of the Etsu Nupe, I see a very determined king who is making conscious efforts to take his people to the path of development. He is our friend and father in Edo State and he also honoured my predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole with the title of Tafida Rayan Kasan Nupe.

    “Culture is a very powerful unifying tool for national integration, but some people misuse it and use it to divide us. Nigeria has always been one united family, which is an almmaga of different cultures.

    Kodo said it was a well-deserved honour, noting that IGP Idris has a striking humility.

    An overwhelmed Idris thanked his people for the honour, noting that their prayers and blessing saw him through life.

    He said: “It is always good to be back home. I am your child and I am here by God’s grace. It is your blessing and prayers that has kept me all the while.

    “As we mark the 674th annual Gani festival, it is clear that the festival is as old as Kutigi itself. Let this mark the beginning of cultural rebirth. Our youths must embrace cosmopolitan nature and embrace people from different places for peace and economic prosperity. Let us be our brother’s keeper and avoid acts that could lead to break down of law and order.”

  • Northern governors extol Etsu Nupe’s leadership qualities

    The Northern States Governors Forum on Wednesday described the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, as a man of peace.

    This is contained in a statement issued in Minna and signed by Danladi Ndayebo, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Babangida Aliyu, the Chairman of the forum.

    The forum said the Etsu Nupe’s 10 years on the throne had brought tremendous progress and development to the Nupe Kingdom.

    The northern governors described the monarch as a rare patriot, who had ensured religious tolerance and unity amongst the people.

    “It is worthy of note that Etsu Yahaya is a man of peace and a rare patriot, an accomplished Army General and consummate administrator

    “The monarch has been playing a leading role in ensuring peace, unity and tolerance amongst the diverse tendencies that co-habit his domain and even beyond, ” the News Agency of Nigeria quoted the governors as saying in the statement.

    The governors noted that since Abubakar’s coronation in 2003, violence, whether sectarian or otherwise had been a rare occurrence in the kingdom.

    “The Etsu Nupe has been building bridges across ethnic, religious and socio-cultural divides, helping to bring together his people, irrespective of their political differences.”

    They prayed to Allah to grant him good health, courage and many more years of selfless service to Nigeria and humanity

     

  • We didn’t exonerate Etsu Nupe, says CAN scribe

    The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN says it did not exonerate the paramount ruler of the Nupe Kingdom, Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar over his role in the conversion of Charity, daughter of Pastor Raymond Uzoechina of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) to Islam, contrary to reports in some national newspapers (excluding The Nation newspapers).

    The newspapers quoted the General Secretary of CAN, Rev. Dr. Musa Asake as having said that “We have actually resolved the issue; there is a good understanding now especially as it concerns the person of respectable Etsu Nupe who has been misrepresented in the media.”

    But Asake, in a signed statement made available to The Nation at the weekend, disowned the statement, explaining that “as the General Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, he could not have spoken in that manner, especially after witnessing the emotional encounter between Charity, her parents and siblings; a momentary family union which suggested to me that the young girl was under certain influences within the palace of the Etsu Nupe.”

    Asake disclosed that “young Charity had agreed to go home with other members of the family during this encounter only to talk about threat to her life during the meeting,” adding that “the statement, therefore, does not represent my words and thoughts since I represented CAN at the meeting and not the spokesman of the Etsu Nupe.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, the statement I made to the press which approached me after the meeting was that we have listened to both sides and that after hearing them, have come to an understanding of the matter. I also recall telling the correspondents that the matter would soon be resolved and that Pastor Uzoechina had all reasons to accuse the Etsu Nupe for taking custody of his daughter without his consent. I said the Etsu Nupe explained how he was given the custody of the girl. I then referred the correspondents to the acting governor whom I said would brief them further.

    “CAN has been consistent on this issue of the forcible conversion of Charity Uzoechina because the manner, method of securing her custody and the demeanour of the Etsu Nupe each time a truce meeting before the last one held in Minna was called, left much to be desired.”