By Inusa Ndahi, Maiduguri
*Hon Durkwa being greeted by a religious leader*
Last week Wednesday 4th June 2019, Muslim faithful all over the globe celebrated Eid-El Fitri Sallah, marking the end of the Holy One Month Ramadan Kareem.
Just like any celebrity who loved to celebrate the festivity in his/her own home town or village, the immediate past Deputy Governor of Borno state, Hon Usman Mamman Durkwa traveled all the way from Maiduguri, the state capital to Shaffa town, Hawul Local Government Area, his home-base where he was received by a heroic welcome from a mammoth crowd, including women and children.
Durkwa for long has not gotten such an opportunity to celebrate Sallah in his hometown following the demands from his office while he was Deputising for former Governor Kashim Shettima. Before departing from Maiduguri, the former Deputy Governor as his usual tradition of distributing succour/relief times to the needy, distributed bags of rice, sugar and other incentives as well as cash to thousands of people irrespective of their tribe or political inclinations.
While playing host of religious leaders, traditional title holders , political party leaders across all divides, business community , youth groups and women of Hawul in celebration of this year’s Eid Fitri Sallah Celebration, Durkwa used the occasion and distributed relief items to the people and urged them to live in peace with one another.
Durkwa a grassroot politician later had a meeting with all stakeholders including the member representing Hawul at the Borno State House of Assembly, Hon. Ayuba Wakawa and the Caretaker Chairman of the Council, Hon. Daniel Malang among others, where he enjoined them to extend their hands of fellowship and give their full support to the new government.
He specifically thanked his boss former Governor Kashim Shettima, the State Chairman of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori and all the good people of the state for their support and cooperation while serving as Deputy, that led to the tremendous achievements recorded in the area of security, education, job creation and economic transformations witnessed under the past tenure.
He noted that without such loyalty and support the last administration got from all and sundry, such achievements would not have been realistic, and however called on the people of the area and the state at large to put away their differences and rally round the present administration in it’s efforts towards restoring peace and put smiles on the faces of the electorate.
His words:” We thank God Almighty for seeing us through the period of the Ramadan Kareem. As usual, i had to travel all the way to Shaffa our Home town of Hawul Local Government Area to celebrate this festive period, because, I didn’t travel to Saudi Arabia for the lesser Hajj as I normally do every year.
“I also appreciated the massive turn out of you Religious Leaders, Traditional title holders , Political Party Leaders across all divides, Business Community , Youth/women Groups for honoring me and to celebrate this year’s Eid Fitri Sallah.
” As a grassroot politician, I will continue to be with you at all times, and also enjoined you to extend your hands of fellowship and give your full support to the new government to succeed.
“I want to sieze this opportunity to appreciate my Boss former Governor Kashim Shettima, the State Chairman of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori and all good people of Borno for their support and cooperation while serving as Deputy, that led to the tremendous achievements recorded in the area of security, education, job creation and economic transformations witnessed under the past tenure.
” Without such unity, loyalty and support from all and sundry, such achievements would not have been realistic, I therefore called on the people of Hawul and the state at large to put away their differences and rally round the present administration in it’s efforts towards restoring peace and put smiles on the faces of the electorate.” Durkwa said.
Responding, some of the stakeholders, Hon. Mary Dauda, Dr. Andrew Malgwi, Mallam Mbayi and the caretaker Chairman of Hawul, Hon. Daniel Malang, so numerous to mention, described Durkwa as ‘a man of the people’, especially the less privileged in the society, and promised to support him in all his endeavours.
They also promised to work as a team in unity in order to move Hawul and Borno state to a greater height.
The former Deputy Governor was also in Shani local government area where he paid sallah homage to the Emir of Shani, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Muhammadu Mailafiya.
At the Emir’s palace, traditional dance such as the annual Miniwara dance and other festivities were organized as a signed of welcoming Durkwa to his second home, Shani.