Kogiflame
A civil rights Activist, Senator Shehu Sani, has urged Nigerians and government at all levels to appreciate and honour the freedom fighters who stood in defence of the country.
He made the call while speaking with Newsmen on Saturday when he visited the tombs of Six deposed Emirs in Lokoja, who refused to bow down to British colonialists.
The Emirs’ tombs visited were that of the late Emir of Kano, Mallam Aliyu Abdullahi (Maisango) 1903; the late Etsu Nupe from Bida, Mallam Ibrahim Abubakar, 1911; the late Emir of Zazzau, Mallam Aliyu Dansidi, 1924.
Others included: the late Emir of Gwandu, Muhammadu Aliyu, 1902; the late Emir of Zaria, Mallam Mohammadu Lawal Kwassau, 1927; and the late Emir of Gumel, Sarki Abubakar.
Sani, who was accompanied by his Colleague, Comrade Suleiman Ahmed, admonished Nigerians and government at all levels to appreciate freedom fighters who stood in defence of the country.
“Today, I am on the visit to the tombs of the Emirs from Northern Nigerian who were deposed by the British Colonialists and exiled to Lokoja where they died.
“Here, particularly, is the tomb of the late Emir of Kano, Mallam Aliyu Abdullahi (Maisango) who died in 1903.
“We have to appreciate the freedom fighters, those who stood in defence of our country.
“As a Pan-Africanist, someone who has been involved in the struggle for rights for freedom and justice, and someone who appreciate history a lot.
“I am here to appreciate this noble Emirs who stood in the defence of our country.
“This visit is to also send a clear message to Nigerians and to inspire others, that as we move forward as a country and as people, we should also look backward to appreciate those who fought and layed their lives and make sacrifices for us.
“Here, are Emirs who are lying down in their tombs; they were not deposed by their people but by the colonialists who came to enslave our people and take over our country and our resources.
“The Emirs that refused to bow down to colonialists, the one who stood for freedom and defended our territorial land; we owe them a lot,” he said.
Sani, who was the Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District from 2015 to 2019, reaffirmed his commitment to continue to appreciate and honor the Nigeria’s freedom fighters.
Speaking, the Etsu Lokoja, HRH Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda-Shelika and other Lokoja community leaders who took the Senator and his colleague round the tombs’ sites, commended the senator for the visit describing it as a welcome development.
“The visit of Distinguished Senator Shehu Sani and his colleague, Comrade Suleiman Ahmed is a very welcome development and we appreciate them for the gesture.
“Oftentimes, we hardly remember that certain people contributed in certain measures in the past. So, the visit to Lokoja and with particular interest to the tombs of the deposed Emirs, is very laudable.
“As a human rights Activist, he could quickly pointed to the fact that these Emirs fought in defence of their people, and that was what leadership is all about”, Dauda-Shelika said.
Dauda-Shelika noted the late deposed Etsu Nupe from Bida, Mallam Ibrahim Abubakar, 1911, was the grandfather of their highly revered Baa’gadozhi! Alh. Dr. Yahaya Abubakar CFR, current Etsu Nupe.
According to him, for the deposed late Etsu Nupe, Mallam Abubakar, was at home in Lokoja from home being among his people even though under the watchful eyes of the Colonial Administrators.
Dauda-Shelika stressed that the remains of the late Baa’gadozhi rest among his people in Lokoja.
Also Speaking, Abdullahi Ibrahim Abubakar, the great great grandson of deposed Etsu Abubakar, said the two tombs in the palace, were that of the late Etsu Nupe and his grandson.
“The Etsu fought gallantly for his people and refused to bow down to colonialists.
“We are happy that the Senator came and we pray for his assistance regarding the renovation of the palace,” Abubakar said.
