- “Our people can go to farm now” – Emir Zuru
From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
The Emir of Zuru, Maj-Gen (retd) Muhammad Sani Sami, and former Chief of Staff to the late General Sani Abacha, Lt-Gen Ishaya R Bamaiyi (retd), have commended the Nigerian Army, Federal Government, and Kebbi State Government for restoring peace and stability in Zuru Emirate ahead of the 2024 Uhola Cultural Festival.
The Emir and Bamaiyi made their remarks while addressing reporters in Zuru town in anticipation of the upcoming festival and agricultural show.
Speaking at his palace, the Emir described the 2024 Uhola Cultural Festival as unique, emphasizing that it is the first festival since the Federal Government recognized Uhola Culture as a national heritage and the first to be celebrated in a peaceful atmosphere under Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State.
“This is a very important festival to us,” the Emir stated. “It is the cultural and traditional celebration of our people. This is the period when we bring all our people, both home and abroad, together to celebrate our unity and prosperity.”
He expressed happiness that the Federal Government has recognized the cultural festival and included it among the national festivals through the National Calendar of Events of the NTDA.
Reflecting on the restoration of peace in his Emirate, the Emir said, “We have suffered a lot here in the hands of bandits, kidnappers, robbers, and thieves. We all know that some of these things started from our neighbouring states, Zamfara and Niger. We happened to be at the centre of the two states and at the receiving end. We have lost a lot of properties and lives.”
He acknowledged the efforts he made as a retired General and the Emir to address the insecurity but emphasized the significant role played by Governor Nasir Idris. “The Governor loves our people, he listens to advice, and he has done a lot so far on the issue of security. Now, as we gather here, we have a lot of peace. Our people can go to the farm, go to their trading activities, sleep with two eyes closed, and go about their lawful businesses.”
The Emir added that the Governor has solved the logistical, feeding, and mobility problems faced by the troops, police, and other security agencies tackling the insecurity in the area. He expressed gratitude to the Nigerian Army, Federal Government, and Kebbi State Government and prayed that banditry would be eradicated from the Emirate.
Speaking on the Uhola Cultural Festival and strategies to permanently resolve Nigeria’s insecurity challenges, Lt. Gen. Bamaiyi, the former Chief of Staff to the late General Sani Abacha and Chairman of the main Organizing Committee of the 2024 Uhola Cultural Festival, said the people of Zuru Emirate are happy about the support from the Federal and State Governments in allowing the festival to take place.
“Today, the Uhola festival has emerged as a National event listed in the National Calendar of Events of the NTDA,” he said. “It is essential to note that the festival brings people together, promoting unity amid ethnic, religious, and social diversities. It is healthy for us when contingents from different parts of the Emirate and Kebbi State come together, leverage their comparative advantages, to promote their arts and cultures.”
Regarding a permanent solution to insecurity in the country, Lt. Gen. Bamaiyi suggested that the Federal Government should give secret orders to the Nigerian Army without disclosing the information to the public or media.
“To solve this problem, in my personal view, it is not a matter of going to the press that would solve the problem,” he stated. “Going to the press will not help us. There are ways of giving orders to the Military without telling the press. Give our military orders, give them equipment, logistics, and political will, I can assure you, within 3 to 6 months, everything will be resolved.”