Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II and other dignitaries were in Abia State where Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje was honoured for protecting the Igbo amid ethnic tensions last year. SUNNY NWANKWO reports
It was reward for a great gesture. But when Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje was honoured in Abia State with the title Agu ne che mba I Igbo land or protector of the people in Abia State, it was more than one good turn deserves another.
Ganduje brought his influence to bear last year in Kano when some youths ordered the Igbo in the state to leave or be forced out. He protected the threatened Igbo people in the state, and because of that, much havoc was averted. Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi II was also in Abia for the event, as were several dignitaries. Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu was represented at event.
The title was conferred on the Kano governor by a coalition of Igbo traditional rulers led by their chairman, His Eminence Eze Eberechi Dick.
Ganduje’s intervention in those tense days as well as Ikpeazu’s efforts prevented what many believed would have been a tragic outcome, given the fact that a secessionist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the extremist Arewa Youth Forum (AYF) were poised for a showdown.
Ganduje’s new title helps to foster unity between the Southeast and the North.
The chairman, Southeast Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Eberechi Dick, the Eze Udo 1 of Mgboko Ngwa Amaise Autonomous Community in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State bestowed the honour on Ganduje at his palace, an event that attracted Sanusi II, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and other celebrities.
Dick used the opportunity of the event to call for unity and harmonious co-existence of the Southeasterners and their northern counterparts.
Two days before the conferment of the title, members of pro-Biafra agitation group, Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) warned Ganduje not to step into the Southeast..
Ganduje accompanied by his wife Hafsat and her Abia counterpart, Nkechi Ikpeazu. At the event also were Kano State information commissioner, Garba Mohammed and several Igbo leaders in Kano State.
Speaking with journalists, the Southeast traditional rulers’ chairman denied that the title had any kind of political undertone, adding that the unity of the country was nonnegotiable. He stressed that the country would function better when there is peace and harmony among members of various ethnic groups.
Speaking on the title given to Governor Ganduje, Eze Dick said, “We, the traditional rulers in the East decided based on the report and plea of our people residing in Kano, to honour the governor of Kano, Umaru Ganduje with chieftaincy title for the way in which he has been making sure that their lives and property are protected.
“The title is significant because it will go a long way to show that we the Igbos are united with our brothers in the North. Our wealth in Kano is too much and since the governor brought out his strength to secure our wealth, we appreciate it.
“Whatever MASSOB is saying, we the fathers know that this governor has done us no bad. He is a good man. I advise MASSOB to look onto us the royal fathers, we can never mislead them. Our brothers in the North love us. We shall always protect them here and I know they’ll reciprocate it over there.”
Eze Dick also used the opportunity to call on the federal government to pay attention to the deplorable roads in the Southeast which he had promised to attend to in one of the traditional ruler’s visit to Aso Rock.
“I’ve gone for a lot of mission on behalf of Ndi-Igbo. I’ve gone with notable traditional rulers in Igbo Land to see Buhari to present some of our needs to him and he assured us that he will take care of them. We have asked him to touch our roads, rail and also appoint our people where necessary. Azikiwe said he wanted one Nigeria so that our people will continue to do their businesses anywhere freely and we stand on that one Nigeria. It has no political undertone at all. We are not politicians. It’s done to foster peace.”
In his speech, Ganduje said, “I cherished events like this that seeks to bring us together and strengthen our unity despite our diverse rich cultures. It has always been my firm belief that diversity should not be used as an instrument to divide. We cannot subscribe to the Machiavellian principle that differences in language, customs and laws divide people, making them difficult to hold together.
“On several occasion, I turned down offers by many different organizations and traditional institutions to give award or confer on me traditional title. However, I gave it a second thought after critical examination considering the excellent working relationship we have with His Highness, Igwe (Dr.) Boniface Ibekwe, Eze Ndigbo Kano towards promoting the cause for peaceful co-existence not only with the Ndigbo but other ethnic groups resident in Kano.
“Our brave, collective pursuit in uniting this nation, underscores the fact that for as long as we have a common purpose, will find no obstacle big enough to stop us from marching on. I personally commit, in my capacity as the governor to support all effort in ensuring that this country continue to remain one.
“It has been my personal conviction that anyone who chose to come to stay in Kano should never be addressed as non-indigenes. And in ensuring that my conviction is real, we appointed senior aides into the government from major ethnic groups living in Kano.
“In fact during the heights of the quit notice served by Coalition of Arewa Youth, I had to personally intervene by summoning series of meetings at the Government House, Kano to not only douse the simmering tension, but harmoniously resolved the crisis.
“We have also introduced an Annual Inter-Religious and Community Conference towards strengthening Inter-Faith and Community Relations for Harmony, Peace and Sustainable Development in Kano State.
“Your Excellency, His Eminence, Ladies and Gentlemen, let me say here that the decision by His Eminence to confer on me a traditional title has no political undertone whatsoever. I am not aspiring to be the President of this country.
“My willingness to accept it is merely based on need to wax stronger, the longstanding relationship between the people of Kano, the Ndigbo and other ethnic nationalities.”
The host governor, Okezie Ikpeazu represented at the event by the Secretary to the State government; Dr. Eme Okoro said “we promise to abide by this move made by our traditional rulers in keeping this nation peaceful and united.
“What has happened today will go a long way in making things better for us all as Nigerians. From this move, it’s obvious that from now henceforth, Kano is the home of Abia people while Abia will always be a home for the Kano people.”
