Task before the new Shehu of Bama

Shehu Umar II Al-Amin El-Kanemi has been traditionally turbaned as the 2nd Shehu of Bama – a first class emir leading the Bama Emirate Council in Borno State.

The traditional installation took place yesterday at the Shehu’s Palace in Bama town, Bama Local Government Area of the state.

The presentation of Staff of Office will hold at a later date, apparently due to the many restrictions caused by COVID-19 pandemic.

“But be assured that the official presentation of Staff of Office which will hold when the atmosphere is very clear will host all friends and family far and near, home and abroad Insha-Allah. We apologise for not widely publicizing the event and holding it in a low key, it was due to reality of the moment,” announced Abba Bukar Abba Masta, the Shehu’s younger brother on his facebook page.

He added that, “We continue to solicit for your prayers for longevity, good health and wisdom for His royal Highness as he mounts on the throne of his forebears.”

The state governor, Babagana Zulum, had on May 4, appointed Shehu Umar as the new Shehu of Bama, following the demise of his father, Shehu Kyari Umar Ibn Ibrahim Al-Amin El-Kanemi on April 27.

If, as a prince, he had thought being the Shehu of Bama was a bed of roses, the stark reality might have begun to dawn on him on Monday, May 4,that it is not.

His father, the late Shehu, Alhaji Kyari, a thoroughbred local government administrator with vast experience in managing the affairs of people across various situations, still had to grapple with numerous problems, some of them unprecedented, to hold the domain tightly together to enable it sustain its historical significance.

Thirty-seven-year old Alhaji Umar is a businessman who only knows how to manage wealth.

Can managing the affairs of people be equated with managing wealth? Which is more difficult? How can he now deploy his experience in managing business to managing the affairs of his subjects as the new Shehu of Bama?

The Secretary to the Borno State Government, Usman Jidda Shuwa, presented to him the letter of appointment as the second Shehu of Bama, with a tall charge that he resides among his people instead of overseeing their affairs from Maiduguri, the state capital.

“Your appointment was based on your proven integrity, impeccable record of service to the people of Bama Local Government, and in particular, service to humanity in general.

“Your royal highness Sir, this appointment is conferred on you by the Executive Governor of Borno State; you are hereby expected to exhibit high sense of justice, equity and fairness to all people of Bama.

“I am directed by His Excellency (the state governor, Prof Babagana Umara Zulum) to direct you to remain in Bama so that you can give a sense of belonging to the people; your role as a leader is very crucial and principal to the establishment of civil authority in Bama,” the SSG said.

The directive that Shehu Umar rules his people by residing fully among them, instead of ruling them from ‘the diaspora’ to facilitate the rapid restoration of civil authority to the domain was a sharp pointer at, perhaps, the most gargantuan task ahead of him with regard to rebuilding Bama from the ravages of Boko Haram insurgency.

Shehu Umar Kyari, the eldest son of the late Shehu Kyari, was born on January 8, 1983 in Bama. He attended Central Primary School Bama, Government College Maiduguri and Foundation Secondary School Maiduguri. He holds a Diploma in Civil Law from Umar Ibn Ibrahim College of Education, Science and Technology, Bama, Borno State.

Until he ascended the throne, Shehu Umar, who was turbaned yesterday, Saturday, May 9, 2020, at his palace in Bama, was a businessman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bimmbazz (BSBG) Nigeria Limited.

Married with four children, Shehu Umar, whose hobbies are badminton, horse riding and traveling, has travelled to many countries in Africa, Middle East and Europe.

Restoration of security and civil authority as well as the rebuilding of communities in his domain constitute the gargantuan tasks ahead of him.

Bama was undoubtedly the most ravaged by Boko Haram, who killed over 200 persons and burnt down the town when they stormed it in September, 2014.

Like the Mai (king in Kanuri language) leading his people to the battle front in the olden days, Shehu Umarwould have to lead his enviably industrious people to the battle front of restoration of security; defying and surmounting all threats to rebuild social and economic lives; the re-establishment of civil authority to facilitate rapid rebooting of development and prosperity; and soliciting every obtainable assistances from whatever quarters reachable for him to achieve all these.

According to the Kachalla Aji Bazam of Bama, Grema Kyari, and palace sources, the task before the new Shehu include proper trenching of Bama township to encompass places like Goniri, Soye, Bocobs, among other adjoining communities.

There is also the completion of the reconstruction of the remaining houses in Bama township; liberation, reconstruction and resettlement of major towns like Gulumba, Kumshe, Walasa, Darajamal, Soye, Abbaram among others; the completion and allocation of Bama modern market stalls to traders; and the empowerment of youths.

Shehu Umar should also maintain his royal plea for the construction of Maiduguri- Bama-Banki highway, which is the main transborder commercial activities artery.

The new royal father is expected to see to the sustenance of food items intervention to the host communities, opening of commercial banks and restoration of GSM networks to facilitate the rapid restoration of commercial and social activities.

He is also expected to make and maintain his royal pleas for full presence of military, paramilitary and other law enforcement agencies, as well as the provision of electricity to the main town to boost economic activities.