From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
It was a serene atmosphere at Tribes by Meena, along Ahmadu Bello Way, Kano, Wednesday evening when the Rotary Club, Bompai, played host to ethnic traditional rulers in Kano state to discuss issues concerning peaceful co-existence among ethnic groups in Nigeria resident in the ancient commercial city, and across the five emirate kingdoms across the state.
The Special Fellowship tagged: “Rotary, Diversity and Peaceful Co-existence,” also had in attendance a renowned member of the reputable club, Lora Kabir, a Russian, who said she has spent more of her productive years in Nigeria than her country own country, promoting peace and other values of the Rotary Club. “I have spent more time in Nigeria than my own country. In all my time in Nigeria, I have spent the most part of it preaching peace. We need peace in the world, we need peace in Nigeria,” Lora said.
The immediate-past President of Rotary Club Bompai, Kashim Ibn Yakubu who introduced guest at the event described the day as a cultural day designed to promote peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.
In her brief welcome address, the President-elect of Rotary Club, Bompai, Mriam Obi summarized the four-will test of the Club which holds that in whatever you say or do in life, always ensure whether it is the truth; even if it is the truth; is it fair to all concerned; even if it is fair to all concerned; will it be beneficial to all concerned.
The Chief Host and DGN Rotary District 9125, Sagab Sani Ahmed in his speech said, “we appreciate you (the traditional rulers) for honouring our invitation and we hold you in high esteem to be here with us today. As we all know, with the latest event that is happening in our country, without peace, there will be know human activity. Your being here today means that you support peace and wherever your subjects gather, you teach them how to keep and maintain peace.”
He added that, “the Rotary Club of Bompai organized this cultural event today to uphold peace and we are optimistic that our gathering here today will further promote peace in Kano and Nigeria at large. We need peaceful co-existence among Nigerians, and wherever we are as Rotracts, we uphold peace. And we pray that peace reign and continue to reign in Nigeria.”
According to him, “the simple definition of peace is tranquility. Where ever there is no peace, there will be no tranquility. In whatever we do, we should try to understand there cultural background of one another, tolerate one another so that we can live in peace and harmony.”
His Highness, Eze Ndigbo in Kano, Igwe Boniface Ibekwe (Ide 1) who was represented by his Adviser, Chief Sampson Nwodu, gave a graphic account of how he has been using his office to promote and maintain peace, not only among Igbos, but other ethnic nationalities resident in the state. Chief Nwodu noted that, “Igwe Boniface Ibekwe has been using his office as the Eze Ndigbo in Kano to maintain peace, not only among Igbos, but among other ethnic communities in Kano.
“As we gathered here, his absence is because he is on a special assignment that has to do with peace and harmony among Nigerians. His Highness is consistently partnering with there state government and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that Kano remain peaceful and safe for residnets. Just last year, he was installed as the chairman of all traditional rulers in the country by the Sultan of Sokoto.
The event took place here in Kano. He also played a major role to calm tension during the quit notice given by some northern youths against the Igbos in the North. His valuable intervention did a lot to bring the situation under control. He is also the President-General of Eze Ndigbo in Diaspora. He has been doing a lot to ensure peace and harmony among Nigerians.”
The Onu Igala in Kano, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Yakubu Okolo Ocheje, said peace comes through the fear of God, “and through the grace of God, we have been maintaining peace here in Kano. We have over 1.5 milkion Igalas in Kano. We believe in peaceful co-existence and we associate ourselves with other tribes. Here in Kano, you can hardly hear that there is a problem among the Igala people and or other tribes. I talk to my followers to live in peace with everyone around them irrespective of tribe and religion. The Igala people are proud of the Rotary Club and we appreciate the recognition given to us.”
In his remarks, the Ovieobi 1 of Delta in Kano, His Royal Highness, Augustine Tarosi stated that the people of Delta has been living very peacefully in Kano. “We Deltans have been living in peace and harmony with every other tribe here in Kano and we make sure we will continue to maintain peace. We thank the Rotary Club for organizing a beautiful event such as this. We are grateful to be part of this peace project.
The President-General of Delta Community Association in Kano, High Chief Tony Lele Peters underscored the fact that, “if you think peace is cheap, why crisis. Peace is the umbrella that brings about co-existence. If you go to war, you must come back to the roundtable to make peace. Under Ethnic Communities Association in kano which Eze Ndigbo in Kano, Igwe Boniface Ibekwe is the Chairman, we have done alot and we are still doing alit to achieve peace among all ethnic communities living in Sabin Gari, and other parts across the state. Our interventions in a number of issues that would have resulted to avoidable crises have saved lives and destruction of properties. We have been working with security agencies and the state government to ensure that Kano remain peaceful; and that all residents irrespective of ethnic or religious background live in harmony. We appreciate the state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, a peace-loving leader who give listening ears that advise and suggestions that brings about peace and harmony in the state.”
Though the state Commissioner of Police, who was the Guest Speaker could not attend the occasion due to emergency issues that cropped up, a goodwill message through the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa indicated that the Kano police boss was impressed by the decision of Rotary Club Bompai to organize such event. He urged all residents in the state to promote peace and ensure peaceful co-existence so that a crime-free society could be achieved.
Highlights of the event include presentation of Awards to the traditional rulers for their selfless service and role towards peaceful co-existence among people from all ethnic cum religious backgrounds resident in Kano.
