Bornu State hosts Kanuri ethnic groups from 10 countries

By Samuel Ogunsona and Saliu Ahmed, Maiduguri

The Government of Bornu State in North East Nigeria has hosted a conference of Kanuri ethnic group drawn from at least 10 countries.

The Kanuri are about 6million people spread across many countries including but not limited to Nigeria.

Kanuri in Nigeria have dominion in Bornu, Yobe and some parts of Adamawa states ironically the states where Boko Haram violent activities are more pronounced.

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, a Kanuri on Thursday hosted the thousands of Kanuri leaders from at least 10 countries.

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima is also Kanuri. Irohinoodua was informed that delegates debated the future of Kanuri people in Nigeria and also examined the economic and political future of Kanuri people all over the world in the face of internal crisis and the lack of a sovereign state for the Kanuri people.

“We are Kanuri. We are worried about the crisis in the Sahel and in Nigeria. We are concerned about the future of Kanuri Nation in the often violent scramble for Nigeria because Nigeria has the largest population of Kanuri people all over the world,” Musa Lawan, a delegate from Cameroon told Irohinoodua.

The delegates were invited to be part of the events marking the year’s Kanem-Borno Cultural Summit in Maiduguri.

Some 161 Emirs and Kanuri traditional rulers attended the high-profile event.

In attendance were Kanuri government officials from some 10 countries in Africa.

The Kanuri delegates came from the Republics of Ghana, Sudan, Gabon, Niger, Central Africa, Senegal, Libya, Chad, Cameroon and Benin.

The old El Kanemi Empire extended from Bornu, Yobe to Southern Libya and Northern Caneroon.

The Kanuri are thought to have migrated from Yemen around 7th century spreading across African.

An official said tye summit “represented a deliberate effort to rebuild transnational kinship networks based on a shared identity and, consequently, to create a supportive global community that can tackle challenges collaboratively, invest in shared development and ensure that the illustrious legacy of Kanem-Borno continues to inspire future generations.”

Irohinoodua was informed that the event “featured dance performances and cultural displays by contingents from different countries.”

The Kanem-Borno Empire was one of the greatest and longest-lasting empires in African history. It flourished for over 1,000 years, roughly from the 9th to the 19th century in the region around the Lake Chad, encompassing parts of present-day Nigeria, Chad, Niger, Cameroon and Libya.

Zulum, who spoke in the Kanuri language, urged the summit to focus on fostering educational exchange, entrepreneurial collaboration, and socio-economic initiatives to uplift Kanuri communities globally.

The governor offered scholarships to 150 students from the countries that encompass the old kanem Borno empire as part of efforts to foster greater unity and fraternity.

Chadian President, Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno, was represented by the Governor of Lac Province, Major General Saleh Haggar Tidjani.

Other dignitaries included the governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni; the former vice president, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe; the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III and Senators Mohammed Tahir Monguno and Mohammed Ali Ndume as well as Barrister Kaka Shehu Lawan.

Also present were members of the House of Representatives, the speakers of the Borno and Yobe Houses of Assembly, emirs and chiefs from other parts of Nigeria, members of the Borno State House of Assembly, commissioners and many senior officials of the Borno State Government.