By UMAR DANLADI ADO
KANO state government has advised Hausa/Fulani
and Igbo communities who are the principal actors in the 1967 to 1970
Nigerian civil war to forget and forgive each other on the circumstances
that led to the unfortunate event.
The advice was made by the state acting
governor, Engr. Magaji Abdullahi at the foundation laying of �Igbo House�
recreation centre and the inauguration of Igbo Community Association held at
Ado Bayero Square on Saturday.
Engr. Abdullahi explained that both communities
have so much in common which include friendship and brotherliness that
existed for a long period.
He described the Igbo as a productive lot who
play a significant role in the history and unity of the country.
In addition, he said: �Since we came into being
as ANPP government in Kano, we have been extending fellowship to the Igbo
community in Kano�.
According to him, such fellowship include
holding of a series of meetings with the Igbo leadership, assuring them
government�s resolve to work with all ethnic and tribal communities residing
in the state.
�Being cosmopolitan in nature, Kano harbours
everybody in order to make it stronger economically and politically,� he
stated.
Engr. Abdullahi further assured the Igbo
community of government�s desire to protect them in order to enable them
carry out their commercial activities without hindrance, appealing to them
not to have fear about Sharia legal system being implemented in the state as
it has good provision for them more than any other law.
Earlier in his speech, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji
(Dr.) Ado Bayero, had urged all his people to render their maximum
co-operation to the Igbo community residing in the state for it to prosper.
He also advised them and other tribes living in
the state to feel free and feel at home in Kano.
In a remark, a one-time minister for special
duties, Alhaji Wada Nas called on Kano people to see Igbo people as their
brothers with whom they have been together long time in history, stressing
that both tribes should ensure cordial relationship for the peace, harmony
and unity of the country.
Nas advocated for the formation of North East
Forum in all parts of the country where people from the two regions will
meet from time to time to iron out differences and harmonize strategies for
the common good of Nigeria.
Responding, the President General, Igbo
Community Association in Kano, Chief (Dr.) Boniface Ibekwe said his
association has acquired a land for the construction of their recreational
centre at the cost of N3 million for developing physical environment and
revenue generation through a whole range of creative activities.
Millions of Naira were realized as donations at
the occasion with the highest pledge of N5 million from an Igbo business
tycoon, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and the Kano state government, House of
Representatives member from Fagge, Alhaji Danlami Hamza, pledging the sum of
N2 million each, while Alhaji Muhammad Abacha, Emirate Council, management
of IRS pledged to contribute N1 million each.
Daily Triumph learnt that Igbo people in the
state capital closed their shops in solidarity with the occasion.
Others who spoke included a former political adviser to
President Olusegun Obasanjo, Dr. Chukwemeka Ezeife.
