Emir of Kagara Calls on Indigenes to Unite for Development of Emirate

  By Awwal Umar Kontagora His Royal Highness, the Emir of Kagara , Malam Ahmed Garba Gunna, Attahiru II , has called on all stakeholders and...

 

By Awwal Umar Kontagora

His Royal Highness, the Emir of Kagara, Malam Ahmed Garba Gunna, Attahiru II, has called on all stakeholders and indigenes of Kagara Emirate in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State to return home, unite, and work collectively towards building a safer, more developed emirate.

The Emir made the call on Sunday when he received members and leaders of the Rafi Development Foundation (RDF) on a courtesy visit at his palace in Kagara.

Malam Ahmed Garba Gunna urged residents to embrace mutual understanding and respect for differing views, stressing the importance of forgiveness and unity in overcoming past misunderstandings.

“To err is human and to forgive is divine,” the Emir said, adding that no community can achieve meaningful development without collective effort.

He noted that collaboration among citizens is essential, particularly in addressing developmental challenges, and reminded stakeholders that “a tree cannot make a forest.” He therefore appealed to indigenes, especially those residing outside the emirate, to return home and contribute their expertise and resources, noting that leadership alone cannot drive development.

The Emir lamented that Kagara Emirate is lagging behind in social and political development and called on all sons and daughters of the emirate to contribute their quota towards its progress.

Attahiru II expressed optimism over the establishment of the Rafi Development Foundation, saying he believes its activities will enhance the status of the emirate and attract development partners, investments, and opportunities at local, national, and international levels.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Interim Chairman of the Foundation, Malam Ibrahim Ahmed Ushama, who is also the Sarkin Yakin Kagara, explained that the Foundation is duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

He said a major objective of the Foundation is to bring together sons and daughters of Kagara Emirate under one umbrella to pursue critical development initiatives.

According to him, no meaningful development can be achieved without understanding and cooperation, especially in an atmosphere of rancour. He thanked the Emir for granting the audience and for offering fatherly guidance to the Foundation.

Malam Ushama sought royal blessings for the Foundation, describing the Emir’s palace as a home for all stakeholders. He emphasised that the Foundation is apolitical, devoid of bias or selfish interests, and ready to work with all politicians and political office holders regardless of party affiliation.

“The Foundation is for everybody and belongs to nobody,” he said, adding that members are committed to sacrificing time and resources for the advancement of Kagara Emirate.

Members of the Foundation also expressed appreciation for the warm reception accorded to them, pledging to work in partnership with the Emirate Council, the State and Federal Governments, as well as national and international development partners to promote sustainable development in the emirate.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Humanitarian and Disaster Management, Malam Ibrahim Ahmed Inga, who described himself as a member of the Foundation, said his first assignment was to appoint the Rafi Local Government Council Chairman, Usman Ayuba Katako, as Liaison Chairman to strengthen collaboration between the council and the Foundation.

He disclosed that he attended the Foundation’s inaugural meeting in Minna and reaffirmed his commitment to unity and collective action.

“The Council Chairman is spiritually with us in attendance,” the Commissioner said.

Prominent personalities at the visit included the Commissioner for Humanitarian and Disaster Management, Malam Ibrahim Ahmed Inga; former Chief of Staff in the immediate past administration, Malam Ibrahim Balarabe; Special Adviser on Diaspora to the Kano State Governor, Malam Danladi Umar Abdulhamid (Tambarin Kagara); Professor Abdullahi of the Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, and other dignitaries.