By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
Participants at the Kanem Borno Global Summit has resolved to promote and sustain the cultural and historical values of Kanem Borno empire.
Chairman of the Borno Emirates Concerned Citizens Forum, Ambassador Zanna Boguma, stated this in a communique issued after a press conference held at the NUJ Press Center Maiduguri.
Ambassador Boguma said the Forum organized the Kanem Borno Cultural Summit, with the aim of promoting cultural heritage, unity, and understanding.
He commended Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum and His Eminence , the Shehu of Borno, Alh. Abubakar Umar Ibn Garbai El Kanemi, among others for their supports in ensuring the success of the summit.
According to him, the Kanem Borno dynasty (formerly Bornu), which. started from the (c 516-578 AD), and was founded by the Sayfawa dynasty should be sustained and promoted .
Ambassador Boguma, who is also Zanna Boguma of Borno, said a total of 21 papers were presented at the colloquium by eminent scholars and historians engaged in series of discussions about safeguarding Kanem Borno cultural identity.
He said the topics ranged from oral traditions to architectural heritage, while emphasizing the need to pass down “our legacy to future generations”, adding that in the course of the summit, books written by scholars in Kanuri dialect and others were displayed alongside cultural artefacts outside the venue of the colloquium.
He added that the lead paper was presented by a renowned scholar of international repute and a descendant of Kanuri lineage, Professor Sani Abubakar Lugga, (the fifth Waziri of Katsina) MFR, FNIM titled “Kanem-Bornu: An Empire or A Caliphate?”
Similarly, a brief history of the Kanuri People, who established the great Kanem-Bornu from the period of the Kanuri progenitor Sayf Di Yazan (c 516-578 AD including a brief history of the famous Kanem Bornu from its founding c.700 AD was exhausted
The communique he said resolved that some recommendations and suggestions after exhaustive discussions on the papers presented at the global summit and extensively deliberated resolved that there is the need to showcase the rich Kanuri heritage and legacy, publicize and internationalize the Kanem Borno cultural summit to attract global attention becomes necessary.
While government, the organizers: the Borno Emirate Concerned Citizen Forum (BECCF), private sectors, individuals and Ministries in charge of promotion of culture should harmonize and strategize.on ways to promote the growth of the Kanem Borno Empire.
It resolved further that trading of merchandize such as horses, weapons, clothes, books, Imperial silver coins, ivory, ostrich feathers, hides and skins, can increase revenues, unity, social cohesion, growth and expansion – through a cross border trade and the establishment of International standard trade market and institutionalization strengthening of export free zone along the communities bordering neighboring countries should be encouraged and sustained by the government
The communique suggested for the rehabilitation and construction of new trade routes like the Maiduguri-Gambaru-Ngala, Maiduguri-Damasak-Dushi-Niger, Banki-KirawaCameroun route etc as well as the rich Kanem-Borno historical artifacts needs to be housed and exhibited in a museum of international standard, hence,.It recommended that the Federal Government should established a museum of international standard at Shehu’s palace, Maiduguri while substantial number of farmers in Borno State currently rely on rain-fed agriculture, facing challenges with the unprecedented nature of rainfall should be supported .
The communique also suggested for digitization of artifacts, historical pictures, monuments will enhance greater and effective preservation of this historical materials for generations yet to come,.
The communique noted also that government as well private sector have key role to play in the establishment of the mentioned items such as cultural hub.
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