General News
REP. Balarabe Kakale (PDP-Sokoto), and some indigenes of Sokoto state demanded the unconditional return of looted historical artefacts by the colonial masters from France and UK.
Kakale, member representing Tureta/Bodinga/Dange-Shuni federal constituency in Sokoto state made the call in a statement jointly signed along with other group members and made available to the newsmen in Sokoto.
The group described the looted intellectual, literary works, artifacts, and relics as objects that were deeply rooted in the minds of the descendants.
The statement alleged that it was deliberate colonial policy made to subvert and deny people contextual functional education, healthcare, commerce, and housing as well as employment opportunities through deliberate strangulation of the caliphate industries.
” Literary works are irrevocable, unchangeable and distinctive values with attached importance to our past, our history, our heritage, our pride, and symbols of heroism and sacrifice of our forefathers.
” Allowing them to relinquish in the museums of other nations robs us of our history, our pride and our divinity as a people.
“ We are working with partners and institutions to create a catalog of Sokoto Caliphate’s cultural, literary, and religious red list that will contain all artifacts, relics and memorabilia looted from the Sokoto Caliphate and its Emirates during and after the illegal and unjustifiable invasion and colonialism. ” group said in the statement.
They added that women, children, and other wounded persons were indiscriminately killed or executed for resistance to the colonial invasion.
The statement also seeks an apology from the colonial masters for unwarranted and unjustifiable atrocities committed against the people of the Caliphate.
”The launch of this campaign is to reawaken the potentials of the good people in the Caliphate and further strengthen the provision of UNESCO and ECOWAS conventions.
”We appeal to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the National Assembly and other authorities to support the effort,” the group said.
The group noted that the historical relics were seized in places such as Sokoto, Gwandu, Sifawa, Argungu, Zazzau, Adamawa, Kano, Katsina, Gombe, Katagum, Binji, Kilgori, Yabo, and Rikina/Dabagin Ardon Shuni among many other libraries of the Caliphate.
” It is worthy to search for the return of Caliphate Flags, Symbols and other Insignia of the State Authority, Seals and Staff of office.
” They are priceless and timeless pieces of high intellects, science, technology, and Craftsmanship and advance social administrative and structure of governance of the people of the Caliphate, now and forever, ” the group added.
The group argued that colonial masters of France and the United Kingdom after decades of atrocities, enslavement, exploitation, and massacre committed against the people in 1903 taken away the items.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) the group is made up of Alhaji Sani Umar-Jabbi, District Head of Gagi, Alhaji Nura Mahe, Convener of Sokoto Heritage Reloaded Initiative and Alhaji Shehu Takatuku, the President, Giginya Community Environment Protection Association.
Others are Alhaji Lawal Yahaya, Ambassador General, Mutawalle Health Foundation-Lafiyq Sak, Hajia Hauwa’u Zaki, the Coordinator, Dan Buhari Shehu Heritage Development Initiative and Alhaji Musa Sabo, who is the project Coordinator. (NAN)
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Tags: Alhaji Nura Mahe Alhaji Sani Umar-Jabbi Alhaji Shehu Takatuku Balarabe Kakale ECOWAS Lai Mohammed
