FG to establish a museum for research, documentations centre in Maiduguri
By Njadvara Musa, Maiduguri
The Federal Government is to partner with Borno State government for the establishment of a Kanem museum to serve for ‘research and historical documentations’ centre in the country.
The centre will also be a tourists’ site, in Maiduguri metropolis for the preservation of Borno cultural heritage, including its artifacts.
The Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy (ACCE), Hanatu Musawa, unveiled the partnership with the State government, over the weekend (Saturday), in Maiduguri, during the maiden Kanem Borno Summit and Colloquium, held at the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) hall.
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The three-day summit was sponsored and supported by the North East Development Commission (NEDC) led by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Alkali.
The Minister said that the Kanem museum will be stocked with the Kanuri artifacts and antiques that reflect and restore their culture, norms and language.
“The proposed museum will be stocked with Kanuri artifacts and antiques that reflect the historical and cultural identity of ancient Kanem Borno Empire and in the 21st century.
According to her, despite the 14-year Boko Haram terrorism in the state, the people continue to remain resilient in preserving their cultural heritage.
She, therefore, assured the people that her Ministry will establish the Kanem Borno Museum (KBOM) to globally preserve the Kanuri cultural identity.
The summit also attracted Kanuri participants from Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Benin, Ghana, Central Africa, Libya and Sudan.
Hanatu, therefore, called on the Borno state government to support her ministry in establishing the museum that could serve over 50 million tourists a year.
She said the museum will enable people from all over the world to see and appreciate the ancient culture of Kanem Borno Empire.
Governor Babagana Zulum said that the state government will continue collaborating with traditional leaders to preserve and protect the ancient Kanem Borno cultural identity.
“The Kanem Borno Empires is a symbol of pride to all the Kanuri people in the world,” he said.
On preserving the Kanuri heritage, Zulum said: “Let us come together and preserve to sustain our rich cultural heritage.
“The three-day Kanem Borno Summit would provide the platform to inculcate our culture to young generations as they are already united.
“This administration is committed in advancement of our cultural heritage, therefore, I urged you all to support us.
The governor continued; “This would help us restoration our lost glory as a result of the over a decade insurgency.
“It will also help us towards restoring peace and security in the state and the Lake Chad Basin, comprising nine local councils
He, therefore, assured the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi and the people that another improved and expanded cultural summit will hold by 2025.
“I urge you to be patient with us and cooperate with the state government in preserving our rich cultural heritage in the country.”
Zulum also called on members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) and other businessmen to desist from hoarding food items and other household goods.
He noted that their regular supplies of essential commodities, was an indication for the respect of humanity and a symbol of the Kanem Borno Empire.
“God is not happy with those who intentionally inflict sufferings or hardship to other people,” he noted, urging that they should stop hoarding essential commodities, particularly rice, sorghum, gari, maize and cooking oil and other condiments.
El-Kanemi also urged the OPS and other businessmen to stop hoarding essential commodities during the critical economic situation, noting that it is not in the culture of the Kanuris to hoard food items for market prices to continue rise, and beyond the reach of people.
Babagana Kingibe, at the event, also said the three-day summit, which comprises a durbar and horse racing at the Ramat Square, Maiduguri; has created a platform for the Kanuris to promote their cultural identity to the world.
He, therefore, prayed for the restoration of peace and security in the Chad Basin, comprising 16 Local Government Areas in the Borno Emirate Council (BEC).
Chairman of Borno Emirate Concerned Citizens Forum, Zanna Boguma described the event as a sign of unifying the old Kanem Borno family and it’s sustained culture for over 1, 500 years.
According to ex-Secretary of the Government of Federation (SGF), Kingibe, the summit was to brainstorm and find lasting solutions to the security challenges in the state and Lake Chad Basin.
“I remind the people that we are Kanuris, with rich culture, religion and dignified among the various ethnic groups in the state,” he said.
Other dignitaries that attended the summit include a representative of the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, Hanatu Musawa, Umar Kadafur, the Deputy Governor of the state, the President of Chad, Councilor General, Biso Yusuf, Senator Malum Bura of Niger Republic, the Emirs of Fika, Lafiyan Bareberi and Damaturu, Muhammadu Idrissa, Justice Sidi Badge, and Shehu Hashimi El-Kanemi II, and Prof. Abubakar Sani Lugga, who presented a paper titled: “The Kanuri in Diaspora and their contributions to the Socio-Economic National Development.”
