The Yoruba community in Borno State has had its share of challenges posed by Boko Haram insurgency and has remained in the state without a leader for 35 years. JAMES BWALA writes that the community has resolved to work together to overcome its challenges by appointing a Yoruba man as Mai Yoruba of Borno to lead the community in the state.
LAST Saturday would continue to remain evergreen in the memory of the Yoruba community in Borno State. It was a day a new king was crowned for the community.
For a long time, the community has been without a leader. According to one of the Yoruba elders in the state and Sarkin Yorubawa of Northern Borno, Alhaji Abdullahi Audu Lasisi, the dream of the community to have an oba in Borno has finally been fulfilled after being headless for 35 years.
Speaking on insurgency and level of attacks, particularly in Northern Borno, the Sarkin Yorubawa said prior to insecurity in Borno, the Yoruba community in Northern Borno had a large population there, noting that this had since changed due to relentless attacks on their businesses, which forced many of them to relocate outside the area.
According to him, the majority of Yoruba businessmen and women have relocated due to the insecurity, saying many of them have been killed, while many others have fled the town.
He disclosed that “even though we used to go to our traditional homes and villages, this place is our second home and we shall remain here like any other indigenes.
“I am now an indigene of Abadam Local Government Area, since I was born here. My father was the first Sarkin Yorubawa in Northern Borno, and after his demise the late Shehu of Borno appointed me.
“Having Alhaji Hassan Alao Yusuf as the Mai Yoruba will further enhance the relationship between the South West and the North East,” he noted.
In his address, the Otun Oba of Borno, Chief Lanre Obadiah, gave the history and how the Yoruba community in Borno unanimously selected and installed their Oba Alhaji Hassan Olaribigbe Alao Yusuf, adding that the selection was done in March, 2011, after the demise of the last occupant of the throne over 30 years ago.
According to him, in July 2012, the traditional ruler constituted the Yoruba Traditional Council, which is made up of seven council chiefs and six Asoju Oba representing various wards of Borno metropolis.
“This council consists of Otun Oba as the chairman; Odofin; Aro; Iyalode; Ikolaba; Ba’ala and Otun Ba’ala, while the Asoju Oba are, Fori, Shehuri, Moropti, Jajeri, Muna/Custom and Dala.”
He said the council approached the Shehu of Borno, Alahji Abubakar Garbai Al’amin Elkanemi, to approve the turbaning of Mai Yoruba in line with the culture and tradition of Borno people.
While speaking with Sunday Tribune, the secretary of Borno Elders Forum (BEF), Alhaji Bulama Mali Gubio, who also received the traditional title of Atuluse (the builder of the society) at the palace of Mai Yoruba, Borno empire is a conglomerate of so many groups of people.
“In fact, when you say Kanuri, there is no tribe that is physically known as Kanuri. Kanuri means people of the east. The people of the east include so many tribes and ethnic groups; they are over 100 tribes and ethnic groups.
LAST Saturday would continue to remain evergreen in the memory of the Yoruba community in Borno State. It was a day a new king was crowned for the community.
For a long time, the community has been without a leader. According to one of the Yoruba elders in the state and Sarkin Yorubawa of Northern Borno, Alhaji Abdullahi Audu Lasisi, the dream of the community to have an oba in Borno has finally been fulfilled after being headless for 35 years.
Speaking on insurgency and level of attacks, particularly in Northern Borno, the Sarkin Yorubawa said prior to insecurity in Borno, the Yoruba community in Northern Borno had a large population there, noting that this had since changed due to relentless attacks on their businesses, which forced many of them to relocate outside the area.
According to him, the majority of Yoruba businessmen and women have relocated due to the insecurity, saying many of them have been killed, while many others have fled the town.
He disclosed that “even though we used to go to our traditional homes and villages, this place is our second home and we shall remain here like any other indigenes.
“I am now an indigene of Abadam Local Government Area, since I was born here. My father was the first Sarkin Yorubawa in Northern Borno, and after his demise the late Shehu of Borno appointed me.
“Having Alhaji Hassan Alao Yusuf as the Mai Yoruba will further enhance the relationship between the South West and the North East,” he noted.
In his address, the Otun Oba of Borno, Chief Lanre Obadiah, gave the history and how the Yoruba community in Borno unanimously selected and installed their Oba Alhaji Hassan Olaribigbe Alao Yusuf, adding that the selection was done in March, 2011, after the demise of the last occupant of the throne over 30 years ago.
According to him, in July 2012, the traditional ruler constituted the Yoruba Traditional Council, which is made up of seven council chiefs and six Asoju Oba representing various wards of Borno metropolis.
“This council consists of Otun Oba as the chairman; Odofin; Aro; Iyalode; Ikolaba; Ba’ala and Otun Ba’ala, while the Asoju Oba are, Fori, Shehuri, Moropti, Jajeri, Muna/Custom and Dala.”
He said the council approached the Shehu of Borno, Alahji Abubakar Garbai Al’amin Elkanemi, to approve the turbaning of Mai Yoruba in line with the culture and tradition of Borno people.
While speaking with Sunday Tribune, the secretary of Borno Elders Forum (BEF), Alhaji Bulama Mali Gubio, who also received the traditional title of Atuluse (the builder of the society) at the palace of Mai Yoruba, Borno empire is a conglomerate of so many groups of people.
“In fact, when you say Kanuri, there is no tribe that is physically known as Kanuri. Kanuri means people of the east. The people of the east include so many tribes and ethnic groups; they are over 100 tribes and ethnic groups.
Tribuneng
No comments :
Post a Comment