When Zarma/Zabarmawa people gathered to advance common course

The people of Zarma/Zabarmawa are believed to be all over the nation in their millions contributing to the meaningful development, progress and peaceful co-existence of the society to the best of their ability. It was to advance the positive interest of these hardworking and progressive minded people that made them to converge in Abuja under the auspices of Zabarkano Association of Nigeria, Ochiaka Ugwu reports on the activities that made the event interesting

In his welcome remarks, National president of the association, Alh. Isah Sahabi Bankanu who welcomed all leaders from 36 States of the federation and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) said that he was delighted to see them representing their members which are in millions and spread all over the federation. He urged members to unite and work for the progress of the association and uphold its objectives.

Also speaking, Sarkin Zabarmawa Abuja, Alh. Aminu Maizinari Abuja who was the Chairman of the occasion called for peace and unity among the people. He asked members to strive, live in brotherhood and work hard towards achieving national peace and progress.

The highpoint of the event was a keynote address presented by the Legal Adviser, Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Goals (OSSAP-SDGs), Bar. Aliyu Ishaq Lolo titled “Zarma/Zabarmawa People and their Ingenuity and Contribution in Nation Biulding: The Under-Used Conerstone in the Building of the Nigerian Nation”.

Again, the entire National executive was inaugurated to pilot the affairs of the association and engender national unity and transformation.

Lolo who took audience back memory lane on how the people came to be noted the Zarma were from Prophet Adamu (Adam) his wife Hauwa’u (Eve). He said their linage can be traced back to the two (Q. 4:1).

He stated the Zarma people are from descent historic background and are highly industrious and portray some qualities of good leadership and followership which are basic ingredients of human development.

His words, “Like all other tribes found in border towns of Nigeria, its neighboring states and are indigenous in both, and Zarma/Zabarmawa are also found in Nigeria and other neighboring nations and indigenous to both places.

“It could also be observed that Zarma/Zabarmawa has always been part of the political and geographical entity known and called West Africa in general and Nigeria in particular. They ruled over territories spanning from Egypt in North Africa to Nigeria, Sudan and Cameroun during dynasties and empires that lasted over 2500 years before any of those nations were born” he said.

Speaking on the aims and objectives behind the formation of zarma/Zabarmawa Associations, Bar. Lolo said the aims and objectives behind the Zarma/Zabarmawa associations is basically to create more awareness among their members and non members alike about the need for peaceful co-existence, tolerance, industry and productivity on one hand and the need to promote unity, progress and development of their members and the environments in which they find themselves on the other.

“It is to preserve the rich Zarma/Zabarmawa socio-cultural, educational, religious and linguistic values from extinction with the ultimate mission and vision of making their motherland, Nigeria one of the greatest nation states in human history.

“Before now, there was the belief in some quarters that among all languages spoken in Nigeria, it is only Zarma/Zabarmawa language that is looked at with scorn and suspicion. This stereotype is mostly observed to be attributable to the attitude of some Zarma/Zabarmawa themselves towards their language. They never cared to use the language in public places as their medium of communication either due to some complex or for some reasons best known to them.

“However, it may also be attributable to the reserved nature of Zarma/Zabarmawa as a people who, before now, never agreed to detach themselves from the traditional belief of not integrating themselves into new systems. A few agreed to attend western system of education. Those that cared to, feel more attached to westernization than to preserve their cultural and linguistic identity.

“This has created fertile ground for some semi-literate members of the society to embark on incessant attack, persecution and humiliation of innocent and gullible Zarma/Zabarmawa people most of whom themselves, are hardly educated in western education.

While advising the newly inaugurated executive of Zabarkano Association of Nigeria, Lolo told them they are witnessing the inauguration of the National and State Executives of Zabarkano Association of Nigeria, the mother of all Zarma/Zabarmawa Associations in the country.

He urged them to remember that they are going to be leaders and not rulers and whoever is to lead, should lead by example and fear of and respect for the divine laws of his creator – Allah.

“They should always remember the Hadith of the Noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW) which says:“Kullukum Raa’in, wa Kullukum Mas’ulun an Ra’iatihi’, which means, “ All of you are pastoralists over your subjects and all of you will be put to question on the responsibilities you are entrusted with”.

“Lastly, we should remember that leadership of an association is not hereditary or arbitrary. On this note, they should work tirelessly to build bridges and give all members a sense of belonging. All hands must be on deck to ensure the achievement of the common goal of our people which is peace, unity, love and patriotism in addition all other good qualities collectively geared towards the preservation of our rich ancestral core values leading to the ultimate development of our people and nation.

“Therefore, whoever is found wanting by placing his personal interest over and above good objectives, may be sanctioned as appropriate either by removal or by surrendering him to the appropriate quarters for the disciplinary actions prescribed by law for his type of breach. That is not our wish anyhow” he noted.

However, after the inauguration of the Executive, Secretary General of the Association, Dr. Lawwal Sani Kasgada who addressed the press on behalf of the Board of Trustees, National and State Executives of the Association on the activities, modest achievements of the Association and the challenges that they face.

According to him, “As you may be aware, our Association has just concluded the swearing in activities of its National and State Executives today, which is another milestone in the history of our Association in particular and the Nigerian Zarma/Zabarmawa people in general. Indeed, it is long overdue for the Zarma to have started engaging in» activities like this at the national level given that the level of awareness of many Nigerians about the tribe Zarma/Zabarmawa is very low even though it is one of the most important languages in the Nigerian North-western states of Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara as “well as the North-central State of Niger.

“Zarma/Zabarmawa has held very important and sensitive leadership positions in those states ranging from commissionership, Speakers of the State House of Assemblies, Chief Judge of the state, Solicitor-General and Commissioner of Justice of the State, Shariah Court of Appeal and High court judges etc.

“This is in addition to producing some of the most renowned business moguls in the oil and gas sector, the Agricultural sector as well as the commodity business sub-sector.

“At the national level, although at disjointed times, our people have been represented, most the level of representation is too scanty if viewed within the binoculars of the contribution, talent, industry, loyalty, sagacity, trustworthiness, reliability, innovativeness and resilience of our people towards the development of the different profession and executive responsibilities in which our people find themselves” he stated.

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 Before now, there was the belief in some quarters that among all languages spoken in Nigeria, it is only Zarma/Zabarmawa language that is looked at with scorn and suspicion. This stereotype is mostly observed to be attributable to the attitude of some Zarma/Zabarmawa themselves towards their language. They never cared to use the language in public places as their medium of communication either due to some complex or for some reasons best known to them.

“However, it may also be attributable to the reserved nature of Zarma/Zabarmawa as a people who, before now, never agreed to detach themselves from the traditional belief of not integrating themselves into new systems. A few agreed to attend western system of education. Those that cared to, feel more attached to westernization than to preserve their cultural and linguistic identity.