Royal Fatiha:Why Northern Nigeria is unbroken
Francis Nansak
Northern Nigeria a 19 states region, has diverse ethnics ,religion and cultural backgrounds,yet with cordial understanding among it’s citizenry,often exhibited on occasions,like weddings,Burials,festivals and political dispositions.
The north,be it east,west or north Central in the geopolitical locations,had high respect and adoration to their traditional rulers,with unquestionable acceptance.
This act of respect and honour was demonstrated at the wedding of Fatiha, the son of Justice Sidi Babe(RTD) the paramount ruler of Lafia and chairnan Nasarawa state council of chief in Lafia the Nasarawa state capital on Saturday.
The royal event was attended by first-class traditional rulers , prominently from Benue, Plateau,Niger and Abuja, as well as retired and serving legal luminaries of the High courts,Appeal court and from the supreme court.
Dr Ahmadu Onawo,the Andoma of Doma,said the secret of cordiality among northern traditional rulers is common,on the basis that they have remain as a mirror for their subjects,who in turn sees them(rulers) as their cibra.
According him ,as long as the traditional institutions continued as one,in the discharge of their duties which is to ensure that there is peace and unity among them,the people will emulate same for the progress of the region.
” So like you rightly observed, we will continue to encourage and support any peace mission,as fathers,so our congreting here to day is to wish our son who has just wedded,peace ,love for his bride and advise them to tolerate, accommodate each other ,because no marriage is without challenges” He said.
Justice Suleiman Galadima(RTD) the former chief judge of Nasarawa state ,said the north remains the Political catchment area with a majority that is almost half the population of the other region put together,he added that occasion as weddings and the rest are avenues where people meet and that is one thing that commonised the northern region.
On his part major Hamza Al-Mustapha,the former Chief Security Officer to late General Sani Abacha, while wishing the newly wed couple, Isiaka Bage and Zianab Dahiru Dalhatu,peaceful maririage, stated that it is a common tradition among families in northern Nigeria,where in occasion and from time to time, they meet to share banters regardless of backgrounds.
He maintained that the north has a unique culture that unifies its various political and socio cultural affiliations.
Major mustapha added that the northern traditional rulers are the custodians of their people’s culture and traditions which entails that they rally round each other’s by showing concern, understanding and support through which others will learn from their way of life’s.
” I am here to solidarise with the couple and first with his Royal Highness,the emir of Lafia .is my pleasure to be part of this remarkable occasion,which has offered me once again to meet with people I had met before,so I am highly delighted to be in Lafia” He said.
The chairman,Lafia local government area, Honourable Aminu Muazu Maifata ,thanked stakeholders and local government chairmen, who stood in support of the processes of planning, the wedding, to ensure that the occasion becomes a huge success.
Honourable Maifata, also thank invited guest from far and near across the north and some representatives of south east and south south royal fathers,saying their presence symbolises the unity of the country.
