KANEM BORNO HOLDS MAIDEN CULTURAL SUMMIT 18-02-24
By Sadiq Aminu The Federal government says it is committed to promoting and preserve the rich tradition and culture of different ethnic groups to ensure sustainable peace and unity in the county.
Vice President, Kashim Shettima stated this at the maiden Kanem Borno cultural summit held at Muhammadu Indimi International Conference Centre, University of Maiduguri.
The summit provides opportunity to showcase the rich cultural heritage of kanem people whose geographical location covers parts of West, Central, South and North Africa.
Vice President Kashim Shettima said Kanem Borno has survived more than a thousand years of civilisation thereby making it one of the respected kingdoms across the world.
Represented by the Borno state Governor, Babagana Zulum, he noted that Borno state has lost tangible and non tangible material culture due to insurgency, however with the relative peace, people have started building their ways of life.
He stressed the need to resuscitate the lost culture by inculcating in the younger generation the norms of values of kanem people.
“Will partner with the Federal government in its drive of promoting, projecting and preserving the rich artistic and cultural heritage of Nigeria which in turn bring about needed peace and development not only in Borno state but the nation at large ” Shettima said.
The Vice President said the Federal government through the ministry of Creative Economy will partner with Borno state government in organising subsequent summits.
Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa lauded the resilience of people of Borno who have withstand the security, economic and environmental challenges.
She promised to create a museum to conserve cultural artifacts and immortalise great people of kanem Borno.
Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar ibn Umar Garbai Elkanemi stressed the need for peaceful coexistence and unity among people of kanem and urged the business community not to hoard food items in this period of economic hardship.
The lead paper presenter at the colloquium, Professor Sani Lugga argued that Kanem Borno was the largest caliphate in Africa and called on the state government to set up machinery to document the history of the empire.
The colloquium was attended by members of the national assembly, heads of Federal government agencies, traditional rulers from within and outside the country, academics and delegation from many African countries.
Africa 247Correspondent, Sadiq Aminu reports that the summit has as its theme “Towards achieving sustainable Peace, fostering unity and development”.