By Abdullahi Gambo
Kanem – Borno Cultural Summit has been described as a step towards renaissance of rich Kanuri Culture and tradition.
Secretary Borno Elders Forum who is also Chairman Borno State Civil Service Commission, Dr Bulama Mali Gubio stated this during the Horse race and other Kanuri traditional dances and plays at the ongoing International Summit which drew participants from across over ten African Countries including Middle East.
These Countries forms the former Kanem Borno territory and about one hundred and sixty (160) Kinsmen from these Countries graced the occasion.
The secretary Borno Elders Forum said the Summit was necessitated by more than a decade of Insurgency in Borno and other Northeastern State which not only affects demographic and socio economic aspect, but also socio cultural Organization which plays a vital role at Post Insurgency era, especially the recovery and sustainability phase.
Dr Bulama Mali Gubio explained that the resuscitation of the Kanuri Cultural heritage was part of the broader initiatives to change the narratives and to wipe out moral decadence.
He added that the significance of this event was to showcase that Kanuris are beyong artificial borders created by the Colonialists and will forge ahead to restore the culture.
The Director General Borno State Agency for Great Green Wall, Ambassador Usman Aliyu who is also one of the Member of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), stressed that the Summit signifies that Peace has fully returned to Borno State and atrributed the feat to Borno State Governor, Baba Gana Zulum and the Security Agents involved in the Counter Insurgency and Terrorism operations.
Ambassador Usman Aliyu noted that the summit will serve as a bridge builder among the Kanuri populace scattered around globe and will use the event to sustain the bond.
Also speaking at the event, Founder and Chief Executive Officer Kanem Press Hub, a local NGO promoting Kanuri Cultural heritage in the Lake Chad region, Comrade Zanna Ibrahim Mustapha emphasised on the importance of culture which serves as an identity to any group of People which if not placed on utmost preference will affect the Kanuri as a group of People across the World.
The Chief Executive Officer Kanem Press Hub expressed delight that the event aligned with the activities of his Orgaization of reviving of the language and culture of the Kanuris across the Lake Chad region.
The event also featured Cultural dances and traditions of Kanumbus, Shuwa Arabs and People sharing the same ethnic group with Kanuris from those African Countries present at the event.
The Summit which is in its second and last day also witnessed Quranic recitation, Special Prayers for peace and a Juma’at Prayers where Borno’s Chief Imam and other prominent Scholars converge to observe special session of Prayers for Borno, Nigeria and the whole World.
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