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Tag: Shehu of Borno

  • Cultural summit: Shehu of Borno holds symbolic durbar

    Cultural summit: Shehu of Borno holds symbolic durbar

    The Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, yesterday led over 40 District Heads in a symbolic durbar to mark the end of the maiden Kanem Borno Global Cultural Summit.

    The three-day summit graced by the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, and dignitaries from Chad, Niger, Cameroon, Ghana and Central Africa Republics is designed to showcase the return of peace and unity among the people in the state.

    The theme of the summit is: “Towards achieving sustainable peace, fostering unity and development “.

    The Chairman of the Organising Committee, Amb. Zanna Hassan-Boguma, described the summit as unique privilege for the young ones to know the rich history and culture of the over 1,000-year old Kanem Borno dynasty.

    Read Also: Delayed rains: Shehu of Borno calls for sustained prayers

    “Our purpose in this summit is to identify and recommend strategic areas for enhance collaboration among our diverse communities focusing on the advancement of our ideals as a people.”

    “Our expected outcomes in this meeting is a strategic action plan outlining the pathway for strengthened partnership and concrete collaborative engagement among our people.

    “The three-day event that started with prayers for peace on Friday at the Shehu’s grand mosque will also provide an opportunity for our leaders, the vast majority of our people and governments to reflect on measures and strategies in the promotion of development, regional integration, stabilisation, peace and security,” he said.

    In their separate remarks, Governor Babagana Zulum and Hannatu Musawa advocated establishment of Kanem Borno Museum to serve as centre for research and documentation of the cultural heritage on the rich history of Borno.

  • OMPALAN to FG: stop foreign invasion of solid minerals

    OMPALAN to FG: stop foreign invasion of solid minerals

    The Board of Trust Deputy Chairman, Oil and Solid Mineral Producing Area Landlords’ Association of Nigeria (OMPALAN), Prof. John Ndanusa Akanya at the weekend called on the Federal Government (FG) to bring sanity to the solid mineral industry by stopping foreign invasion of mineral sites in the north.

    Its chairman of Advisory Board, Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Garbai, who was represented by Wakilin Shehu, B.M. Auta, urged traditional rulers in oil and solid minerals producing areas to rule with the fear of God.

    He asked the the youths to respect the rule of law, noting that they are the future leaders of the country.

    Meanwhile, the North West Youth Leader, Umar Makeri sought the mobilization of the youths in Nigeria in order to make them more productive.

    The spoke an interactive meeting with the leaders of the association from North East, North West, North Central, and South West in Abuja.

    Speaking, the association BoT chairman, Bishop Azogu noted that the inability by leaders of the association to deliver on their key responsibility of protecting the interest of impacted communities has necessitated the ongoing restructuring of OMPALAN in order to make it more responsive to emerging challenges.

    The apex regional leaders, he said, shall work with other leaders in their regions to identify capable individuals who buy into the OMPALAN vision and are willing to make the necessary sacrifice to deliver the goods.

    He submitted that for Nigeria to progress there must be stability and respect for the rule of law.

    According to him, “the  association has developed a home-grown blueprint designed to generate gainful employment opportunity for the teeming jobless youths, end violence and enthrone the rule of law in the three oil producing regions of South South, South West and South East.

    “The bottom-up proposal called ‘Mining Security & Monitoring Agency of Nigeria (MISMAN) seeks to engage entrenched institutions in impacted communities in the security of oil company personnel, installations and equipment.”

    Azogu submitted that the  departure from previous and flawed arrangement by the Federal Government and other development agencies that entrust security of mining sites to dominant youth leaders purely on the basis of their ability to bare their fangs resulting in the multiplicity of war lords that flex muscle with government and security operatives – threatening to breach constitutional peace at the slightest provocation. The chairman noted that with  MISMAN no youth leader no matter how powerful or their sponsors can overrun their host community.

    Continuing, he said that “We, in OMPALAN cannot allow a situation where a few aggrieved individuals employ the services of lawless youths to stoke perpetual tension and deny entire oil producing regions access to democratic deliverables. “Over the years robust palliative programs have been rolled out by the Federal Government to cushion the harsh effects of mounting environmental degradation in local communities of oil producing areas but, these programs have had very little impact on account of political corruption.

    “MISMAN incorporates robust mechanism to monitor and ensure that palliative programs released from the top are safely delivered at the bottom. We do not hear of militancy in oil producing Ghana because development agencies and impacted communities engage in an equitable and transparent manner. There is a win-win situation in Ghana.”

    Azogu commended President Muhammadu Buhari on the successful conduct of the just concluded gubernatorial election in Anambra State.

    He said that the success is a clear indication that the electoral reforms promised by the APC-led Government are on course.

    Chairman also congratulated Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano and the APGA party for coming out victorious, adding that “we salute other contestants and their political parties in Anambra State for supporting the rule of law before, during and after the gubernatorial election.”

  • FG begins door-to-door sharing of grains in IDP camps

    FG begins door-to-door sharing of grains in IDP camps

    …Osinbajo explains new food distribution plan

     

    Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, on Thursday in Maiduguri unveiled a new and more effective distribution plan for delivering relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons in the North-East.

    The new plan differs from the undignified practice of forcing people to queue up for food.

    Under the new plan, which Prof. Osinbajo kicked-off at the Bakassi Camp, camp officials will now be demanded to deliver food items to the IDPs at their door-steps in exchange for a pre-issued voucher.

    Acting President Osinbajo, while unveiling the new strategy, said that the plan is part of the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari towards catering for the needs and welfare of IDPs in the North East region of the country.

    Osinbajo, in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, said “We are incorporating the voucher system which do not only make the process of relief distribution transparent, it will improve our own data collection and our national capacity to plan for what will be a quarterly exercise.

    “As we restore and maintain security in the region, we must not lose sight of the need to provide social service, food, education, healthcare, shelter as well as resettlement and livelihood support.

    “Today, the Federal Government flags off what will be a quarterly grain distribution programme for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and by this, we are saying to our brothers and sisters in the Northeast that our country does not take their burdens lightly and we are not blind to their difficulties.

    “I am particularly pleased to say that the grains that we’ll be distributing, which comprise of Sorghum, Maize, Soya Beans, and Rice, are produced locally; they are produced here in Nigeria by our own farmers.

    “This has always been the vision of Mr. President for our country, to grow what we eat, and to eat what we grow and to use what we make. These grains have travelled from various locations across the country, from as far afield as Ibadan, and as close as Gombe; escorted and protected by the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Military and in some cases will be airlifted by the Nigeria Air Force.” he added

    He also said that the Federal Government would work closely with States to provide other assistance to the IDPs including health services.

    He commended the partnership support from international partners such as the UN, World Food Programme, NEMA, the Military, the Police, other security agencies and State Governments in the region.

    He also thanked neigbouring countries like Cameroon, Chad, Niger for their support in the joint fight against terrorism.

    “While great progress has been made, there is still a great deal more to do. The reward for hard work as they say is more hard work and we have shown that as a people, we are up to the task.” he said

    The Acting President, who on arrival paid a courtesy visit on the Shehu of Borno, Umar Abubakar Gabai Ibn El-Kanemi in his palace, told the traditional ruler and members of his Emirate Council that President Buhari sees the welfare of the IDPs as the responsibility of government.

    The Shehu of Borno thanked President Buhari for his commitment to the restoration of peace in the State and entire region.

    He noted the laudable efforts of the Buhari Presidency at recovering the kidnapped Chibok girls and attending to the welfare of IDPs across the region.

    Upon arrival in Maiduguri, the Acting President inspected the consignment of about 30,000 metric tonnes of the food items to be delivered across the region by 1,032 trucks.

    The distribution is for affected persons in of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi and Gombe States.

    Prof Osinbajo during the visit also inspected some facilities such as the NEMA warehouse, the Bakassi IDP camp office and the premises of School A located within the camp.

    With the Acting President at the event were governors from the region, including Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State, and Governor Bindow Jubrilla of Adamawa State. Yobe State Deputy Governor Abubakar Ali was also present alongside members of the National Assembly, members of the Federal Executive Council, Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, the National Security Adviser to the President, General Babagana Munguno, Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Tukur Buratai, and the Governor of Central Bank Godwin Emefiele.

     

  • Boko Haram is setback to western education – Shehu of Borno

    The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai, has said the Boko Haram insurgency is a great setback to western education in the state.

    Garbai stated this when he received members of the senior course of the Nigerian Army School of Public Relations and Information in his palace in Maiduguri on Monday, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    He said before the advent of the Boko Haram insurgency some people were hesitant in embracing western education as they concentrated in Qur’anic education.

    Garbai added although various administrations in the state had been able to convince the people on the advantages of western education, massive destruction of schools by the insurgents had caused great setback.

    “The Boko Haram insurgents have further worsened our condition in terms of western education,” NAN quoted the Shehu of Borno as saying at the forum.

    “Ordinarily some of our people prefer to send their children to Islamic schools but as the people are beginning to accept western education, the massive destruction of schools by the insurgents had taken us back.”

    Garbai commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his effort in fighting the insurgents.

    “We are lucky to have survived the insurgents’ onslaught in the state.

    “The relocation of the military high command to Maiduguri by Buhari and the subsequent appointment of Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai and other capable hands to head the security agencies brought hope to us,” he added.

     

     

  • New UNILAG Chancellor, Shehu of Borno, pledges support

    Ahead of his official installation on March 3, 2016, the new Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Min El-Kanemi has assured Management of the university of his support for all activities that will help the institution’s development.

    The Chancellor gave the assurance when the principal officers of the university, led by the vice chancellor, Prof Rahamon Bello, visited his palace in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.

    He thanked the delegation for the visit and the President for confirming his appointment as chancellor. The Shehu, who expressed displeasure at the activities of the Boko Haram sect, said its members capitalized on the magnanimity of the peace loving people of Borno to unleash terror on the people. He however said the insurgents would not defeat the Borno Empire.

    In his address, the Vice-Chancellor said they were happy over the Shehu’s as Chancellor.  He promised that the university would collaborate with him to seek lasting solution to the security challenge in the Northeast.

     

  • Shehu of Borno optimistic insurgency will end soon

    Shehu of Borno optimistic insurgency will end soon

    THE Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Garbai, is optimistic that the Boko Haram insurgency will end soon. Receiving a coalition of civil society organisations in his palace in Maiduguri yesterday Alhaji Garbai said Borno has always come out stronger of every socio-religious turmoil in ints over 1000 years of existence. “Kanem Borno had witnessed so many crisis in it’s over 1000 years of existence as an entity. We will surely overcome the Boko Haram crisis like we overcame those crises in the past,” Garbai said. He also said that with prayers and commitment by the Federal Government in fighting Boko Haram,the insurgency will soon become history. He added: “Borno will soon overcome the security challenges and regain its lost glory as `Home of Peace. “The people of Borno have been known to be peaceful, law abiding and accommodating. Hence the slogan `Home of Peace and Hospitality.” He commended civil society organisations for initiating numerous support programmes for victims of insurgency in the state and pledged his cooperation where necessary. He also pledged support for other community development programmes. The leader of the delegation, Hajiya Hafsatu Alamin, the Regional Manager of Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme, said the visit aimed at seeking Garbai’s blessing and support for the organisations programmes.

  • ‘Boko Haram leaders not from Borno’

    The Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar Ibn Garbai, on Monday declared that the leaders of the Boko Haram sect are not indigenes of the state.

    He made the remark when the Presidential fact finding committee on Chibok paid him a courtesy call at his palace on Monday.

    According to a statement issued by the Spokesperson of the Committee, Kingsley Osadolor, the Shehu of Borno, described the abduction of over 200 secondary schoolgirls in Borno State as unfortunate.

    “What is happening now is unfortunate. It’s entirely new to us. None of the leaders of Boko Haram is from Borno. They cannot claim to be from here. The problem was brought to us from elsewhere,” he stated.

    Stressing that the people of Borno were peace-loving, he said the Borno Empire had been in existence for some 1,200 years.

    Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the committee, Brig.-Gen. Ibrahim Sabo (rtd), recalled that Maiduguri which was a famous centre in the Trans-Sahara Trade, regretted that the city and the state had suffered severe socio-economic dislocation as a result of insurgency in recent years.

    He said: “We are now in the main theatre where the Chibok schoolgirls were taken away against their will. The whole world is mobilised against the abduction, and we cannot be happy while our daughters remain in captivity.”

    He said the committee had an open mind to the assignment.

    “We are not here with preconceived notions. We are here to find facts that will lead to a resolution of the current hostage crisis involving the schoolgirls.”

     

  • Insurgency: Shehu of Borno declares 3-day fasting

    The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn-Garbai, has directed residents of the state to embark on a three-day fasting “for divine intervention over the Boko Haram insurgency in the state.’’

    The directive is contained in a statement issued on Monday in Maiduguri.

    The statement quoted the monarch as asking residents to start the fasting on Tuesday.

    He said “I am appealing to all residents of the state to observe a three-day fasting to seek Allah’s mercy toward ending the crisis facing us.

    “I believe we should continue to seek for Allah’s help toward restoring peace in the state.’’

    Ibn-Garbai added that the renewed violence by suspected members of the Boko Haram sect had led to massive destruction of lives and property.

    The Shehu noted that it was time to seek God’s intervention to the problem and urged residents to start the fasting on Tuesday and end it on Thursday.

    He also directed that special prayers be held in Mosques and Churches to seek God’s help and urged residents to remain prayerful even after the fasting.

  • Shehu calls for more prayers for peace in Borno

    Shehu calls for more prayers for peace in Borno

    The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn-Garbai, on Wednesday, called for more prayers for everlasting peace in Borno.

    He made the call when members of the Borno Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ paid him a courtesy visit in his palace in Maiduguri.

    He expressed joy at the gradual return of peace to the state after several months of attacks by Boko Haram insurgents.

    He said “we are all happy that Borno is gradually regaining its peaceful atmosphere, especially Maiduguri the state capital.

    “Although we still have pockets of attacks in rural communities, I believe that prayer is the ultimate solution to every problem.

    “People must continue to pray for everlasting peace in the state and Nigeria in general.”

    The royal father described this year’s holy pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia as “most successful in recent times.

    He said “we have recorded tremendous successes in this year’s Hajj because there were no delays in transportation of pilgrims as witnessed in previous exercises.

    “Nigerian pilgrims conducted themselves in very good manner throughout the Hajj, but we lost 15 pilgrims.’’

    Ibn Garbai commended the Federal Government for making adequate arrangements for medical services to Nigerian pilgrims throughout the exercise.

    He added: “I want to commend the Federal Government for providing excellent medical services to the pilgrims.”

    He also commended officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) for their efforts in making the exercise hitch free.

    “No Nigerian pilgrim was arrested in Saudi Arabia for either drug trafficking or committing any unlawful act.

    “No female pilgrim was left behind because we made proper arrangements to make sure that women were accompanied by their husbands or relatives,” Ibn-Garbai said.

    “So far, more than 40,000 Nigerian pilgrims have been transported back home, only 26,000 are left in Saudi Arabia.

    “The transportation of Nigerian pilgrims back home will be concluded by Nov. 18 and all those who returned came back with their luggage.”

  • Shehu of Borno urges Lagos pilgrims to pray for Nigeria

    The leader of the Federal Government’s delegation to the 2013 Hajj, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Umar Al-Amin El-Kanemi, has urged Lagos State pilgrims in Mecca to pray for peace and stability in Nigeria.

    The monarch, who is the deputy president of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), spoke yesterday when he visited the camp of Lagos pilgrims in Mecca.

    He was received by the Commissioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Alhaji Oyinlomo Danmole, and other members of the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims’ Board.

    The Shehu said the country would improve if citizens pray to God to guide and direct those in authority.

    He said leaders need the people’s prayers and support to address the violence in the country.

    The National Amirul Hajj said: “I am making this appeal to you on behalf of the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria. It is the responsibility of citizens to pray for our states, country and leaders.”