Niger state Governor calls for preservation of cultures

Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has called for prioritising history Subject in schools across the country in order to educate the younger generation on the rich cultures and traditions of divers ethnic groups in Nigeria.

The Niger state Governor stated this during a visit to the palace of the Emir of Zazzau Kingdom   His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli in Kaduna state, North west Nigeria.

“History teaches people about their roots while culture is a way of life of the people,” added the Governor

The Governor who further called on Nigerians on the need to maintain, preserve and promote their culture so as to enable them trace their backgrounds, said he has learnt a lot after viewing the historical sites in the ancient Emir of Zazzau’s palace.

“I’m highly impressed by what I have seen especially the preservation of ancient culture that has been here since 1920s and this will go a long way towards maintaining our history and culture,” the governor added.

“The emir was also kind enough to explain the historical background of the ruling family in Zazzau to me and it was very clear and easy to understand.”

The Niger state Governor who also called on other traditional rulers in Nigeria to emulate the Zazzau maintenance culture of preserving rich cultural heritage despite ongoing renovations in the palace.

“I hope most of our traditional rulers will see what is being done here and do the same in their various emirates because this place for all I know is like a museum. I learnt so many things today,” he said.

Parts of the historical sites visited by the Governor of Niger state in the Zazzau Emir’s Palace includes; The first palace of the emir, women wing, clinic, stable, the old city palace and fence built by the 16th Emir, chamber of late wives of the late emirs and old personal accommodation occupied by three emirs; Mallam Yakubu Jafaru the 16th emir, the 17th emir late Muhammadu Aminu and Alh. Shehu Idris, the 18th emir of Zazzau.

Other areas visited in the palace by the Governor were construction sites where a new clinic, guest house and other structures are ongoing as well as the tomb of the immediate past emir.

Historically, Zazzau, which is one of the oldest Kingdoms in Nigeria, existed before the advent of Islam in the country.

The present emir is from the Mallawa dynasty and is also the grandson of the first fulani emir of zazzau who was the flag bearer in 1804, Mallam Musa Bamali, the founder of Mallawa dynasty