…….Emir, others task North-West Development Commission for road projects
For 31years, Birnin Gwari was devastated by insecurity, however with the latest security approach backed by Kaduna State Governor Senator Uba, the Emir of Birnin-Gwari His Highness Alhaji Zubair Jibril Mai Gwari II and so many other stakeholders. In this interview with Nicholas Dekera, he reveals how the peace deal was struck
We’ve heard some worrisome stories about Birnin Gwari as the hub of insecurity in the North-West axis but few months ago or rather in the past one year we’ve seen that the situation has changed, what magic did you and Kaduna State Governor did to ensure peace return?
I want to start by saying when you say Birnin gwari used to be or was the hub of insecurity it is quite true. This issue of insecurity started as far back as 1993 and it started here, we had a large population of Fulanis in our
By 1994, I went to the governor, the then governor of the state and I said please help us, we can deal with these rustlers and then that was the time of human rights, and the governor said you know this time, we are very serious about human rights and we will not do anything to indicate lack of humanity, he said and I said no we will not do that.
And what I did was to gather our hunters, I invited them from many parts of the north, they came here. And we arranged everything here, not that anbody was giving me a kobo and so we went to the forest and our hunters have a system. When they go hunting what they do is to completely disable every living thing there, be sitting down there doing nothing, that’s what they want the animals to do and then they will get the animals that’s what they do to humans and now we did that for human beings, caught them, found them in the forest sitting down, doing nothing and handed them over to authorities and that was in 1994. We cleared everything and by the time the bell for politics started ringing in 1998, some Miyetti Allah people decided to start a discussion, they were complaining that we are doing this and that. Eventually, we started having small clashes of banditry, but this is not banditry, this is robbery because they will come to the road and they will say lie down, lie down, our people then used to take like 10 naira, 20 naira in their pockets, if you lie down they’ll say what do you have then you give them the money and they will allow you to go away, that was the beginning and then it translated into something more terrible. They were not asking anybody to lie down again, they will start shooting and they will collect money and then it translated into banditry. Not only do they kill or take money, but they will take people away, like kidnapping and they will ask for ransom and it continued on and on and from 1999 up till now but now it’s impossible. But some of the governor’s that came and went tried their best but these men continued because nobody asked them, nobody knew why they were doing all these and eventually I taught about it last year when I was approached by some top federal government officials, talking about the possibility of a peaceful dialogue, I told them that I will not talk to anybody, if they want they can go to my governor, the governor of my state. I am simply in charge of my own Kingdom, so they went to the governor, His Excellency Senator Uba Sani and he agreed, we started the process, this was about two years ago. We sat down here with some of them, with soldiers, with Air Force, police, we were about to ask them, why did they take up arms against their own people, then one of the officials said It is not time for that question. But we agreed that there is need for peace so we continued there is no reprimand from them, okay they demanded from us that we open our markets for them. We didn’t, then it continued, you know officially, unofficially with state government, federal government, eventually it was agreed upon, they want to sit down with us, they want to talk. We started by meeting with them, then eventually we asked them to come here to one place called Doka, we sat down with them and we agreed that really we want peace, I used to tell people and that’s what my governor said that I said that most of them were born here in my kingdom, it’s true, because one of my titleholders was captured by them. When they realized that he has some authority to come to me then they say all most of these places were our farms, we were born here, why are you doing this? He as ked them and they said, there was injustice. Eventually when he came back to us he told us, then I came to realize that there is need to dialogue and there was a need after I delivered a lecture in Jaji where I really emphasized of kidnapping. We don’t have to fight, because the person who took up arms against authority, he must have been wronged somewhere, they don’t do it like that anywhere in the world, And so something went wrong and they continued kidnapping, killing people, taking money and eventually after the meeting in Doka then the situation calmed but the bandits said that they will not agree to sign anything until they see me and then that’s why, I was asked by the government, by the federal government and all good people who were all here with us agreed.2
QUESTION:
Your highness, during the time of these perilous days, Birnin-gwari west suffered a lot. Farmers had to sell their grains to pay ransom, some their houses destroyed and so many others, now that peace has returned and the farming season is here, what are we going to do to partner with the government to ensure that the have the resources to farm and shelter and other basic needs in farming and livelihood?
RESPONSE:
Well, thank you very much because that is the next point to confirm whether the agreement is holding or not holding. We are waiting for the farming season to come and then we shall see. Yes, it is true that the western part of the kingdom suffered but most other places too suffered. I can tell you that I paid about 10 million in ransom to get my people released. One of my aids was kidnapped, the son of my driver and the son of my orderly and I had to pay so it is not just the western side, everywhere was affected. In their own case it was because they are very dedicated farmers and if you don’t allow them to farm they will not be happy. Yes, they suffered but this is the litmus paper for that agreement, if they allow our people to farm, Alhamdullilah but if they don’t that means something is wrong and we may have to go back to the drawing table but I assure you that the state government and local government are doing their best to make sure that this peace is maintained and then people go to their farms. As for businesses, if you had come here maybe on Wednesday or Thursdays you will see many wonderful things. Birnin-gwari is a central hub for business. People buy and take to their places in many other states. We thank Allah and we are sure that we are still working the plane but nothing will go wrong.
QUESTION:
Your highness in terms of naira and kobo, can you quantify exactly what Birnin Gwari has lost over the years?
RESPONSE: Well, I know that at one time when we were sending the reports to the government we indicated that in a month they will collect about 100 – 200 million from people. So, nobody can give the exact figure because we realized that the government did not like the issue to be taken too far. They only want us to update them on kidnaps, killings and what have you but when I asked about the ransom that was not fully accepted, it seemed like there was nothing they could do. But if it is for naira and kobo, I think it should count to millions from that time up till now. In terms, of physical development, we suffered more than billions because all development projects that are meant for Birnin-Gwari both from the federal government and state, were denied. We said if you want to do anything for us come to us and we will guard the place and you can do your work but we were denied because everybody….. like yourself, you were suppose to come with your camera man but he didn’t even though he was assured. We suffered a lot. We missed alot of development and really that’s why I am calling on the North West Development Commission that was inaugurated quite recently to start with Birnin-Gwari because the problem started from here, not because we want it but because the fulanis found Birnin-Gwari very habitable. So we want them to come and access us and do developments for us. Roads, schools, hospitals, all have been destroyed. Go to the villages, if you had come ready we would have taken you to the villages. The schools are destroyed not by anybody but lack of use. Rain will remove the roof and the building will continue melting and melting. We are please asking, let the North-West Development come to Birnin-Gwari fast because we are the first to suffer and we are still suffering.
QUESTION:
I remember during President Tinubu’s campaign he was the only presidential candidate who braved to come to this place, he and the incumbent governor of the state, Governor Uba Sani. So far so good, how would you rate their performance from what they told you and what you have seen so far?
RESPONSE: Unfortunately, from the day Tinubu came here, I publicly requested him to please talk to Fashola who was then the minster of works to please come to our aid because the two roads, Birnin-Gwari – Kaduna and Birnin-Gwari – Funtua were the first major roads to open between North and South infact the Birnin-Gwari – Funtua was the only road linking the north to the south in the early 40s. So, we are not talking of something that’s so complex. These roads are very important to Nigeria and when I finished talking, he said to me personally, “your highness, don’t worry. I am not the President now when I become president I will do it for you” and he is there almost for two years, he has not done it. The Minister of Defence came here, the issue came up, he said yes, yes, yes the two roads are part of the roads that will be considered immediately because they are also part of the security arrangement. While we are waiting the performance of the government, we want them to perform here so we can see it properly. Let them build these two roads otherwise we have no option but to watch. We are praying that God will touch their hearts to come and repair these roads. if they repair these roads, you will see wonderful things because millions of people who go to the south they also come here I have seen many soldiers and people who used to eat here because the moment you leave Kaduna, you come to Birnin-Gwari when going to the south because it is the shortest so why is the government not seeing that. We want them to please look at us and help us.
QUESTION:
Finally, 33 years on the throne. Congratulations, it is not a joke. What have been your source of strength to rule over this gold-rich and agrarian kingdom?
RESPONSE: Thank you very much for noticing that I clocked 33. I think if you know a little about me you will understand why I will give you that answer. All my life before I came into this palace I have never envision that I will become the Emir because my father did not show me. My father was always pushing me towards education. As Allah will have it, when the time came for him to go, may his soul rest in peace, that means for 33years he is not with us. I will say I was unwilling at first, in all honesty to God who made me. My most important ambition was to become a Professor or a big Islamic teacher, nothing more but I was brought here by fate and so what I have gone through in these 33 years with the fact that I realize now my main concern is it looks like Allah wanted me to be here, so I have love for him and if Allah has put me here, I have love for my people. I maintain the issue of sincerity, accountability, fairness and I also remain very firm when it comes to social wealth, something has to be done and must be done. That is what has been guiding me through and most importantly, I became very very patient because if you are not patient you will not be able to rule very well. These are the things that help me during my 33 years serving and I pray that Allah will continue to guide me and all of us in the right path. We should have justice because. Justice is very important. Like what we are talking about, the bandits, they feel it is injustice and we must look at it and practice it. I am pleased that for those 33 years, if you know Birnin-Gwari, you will realize that it is not my own marking but the work of God but the whole city has changed. I think by 1992, Birnin-Gwari can not boast of more than 10 vehicles but now nobody can tell you how many. Commercial, personal, and trailers and everything. There are millionaires in Birnin-Gwari and I can even say some billionaires. I thank Allah. This is why and it is because of my guardiance
QUESTION: Thank you so much, your highness. I really admire you each time you talk. There was a time my friend mentioned that northern leaders are well educated and sound contrary to what people expect.
RESPONSE: You know because of my love for education, I was offered an honorary Phd by many universities outside Nigeria and inside Nigeria which I turned down.
QUESTION: Why?
RESPONSE: Because I want to earn it. I don’t want them to give it to me. I used to tell those universities in the country to please admit me let me earn it. This went on for some time that in 2002 I registered for a course in ABU in policy and external policy and I did it in about 2 years. I did my masters in international affairs in diplomacy and that took me to the United states and the United nations with a meeting with the then Kofi Anaan. He gave me the audience that will be given to a king or head of state. I told him that before we go further, your excellency I am an ordinary leader of my people. I came to see you and meet you face to face. I am still considerable at this age but I will do distance learning.
QUESTION:Thank you so much, Your Highness
RESPONSE: You are welcome.
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