By Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, on Thursday joined a constellation of dignitaries from Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon at the Kanem-Borno Cultural Summit, declaring culture a powerful weapon for peace, unity and regional stability.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Buni described the summit as a historic reawakening of the rich civilisation and cultural heritage of the ancient Kanem-Borno Empire, one of Africa’s longest surviving empires.
“This programme does not only revive our traditions and culture, it builds a bridge between yesterday and today — between the older and younger generations — for peace and stability,” the governor said.
Speaking on the theme, “Harnessing Culture for Peace and Regional Stability,” Buni noted that cultural platforms provide rare opportunities for value reorientation, self-development and societal growth, especially in a region battling insecurity and social dislocation.
He said the summit also served as a reminder of leadership responsibilities, parental duties and the discipline required of youths being prepared for future leadership.
Governor Buni recalled that Kanem-Borno was historically renowned for Quranic memorisation, Islamic scholarship, trade and agriculture, making it a major centre of learning and commerce in West Africa.
“The teachings of Islam and the virtues of our culture preach peace and peaceful coexistence. The people of Kanem-Borno should therefore be symbols and role models of peace,” he stressed.
However, the governor lamented the gradual erosion of communal values that once defined the region, including the strong tradition where every adult took responsibility for correcting errant children regardless of social status.
He also decried what he described as a disturbing trend of social media wars among clerics, warning that public attacks and counter-attacks from pulpits and platforms were divisive and counterproductive.
“This development is sad and unfortunate. It has the potential to create more problems rather than unite us,” Buni cautioned.
Turning to economic prospects, the Yobe governor urged stakeholders to harness the region’s vast cultural assets — from the famous horse racing and durbar, to the iconic Zannah Bukar caps and rich traditional cuisines — as tools for tourism, job creation and sustainable economic growth.
“Culture, if properly explored, can deliver peace, security and prosperity to our people,” he said.
The Kanem-Borno Cultural Summit brought together traditional rulers, scholars, policymakers and cultural enthusiasts, reinforcing the region’s shared history and collective resolve to rebuild unity across borders through culture.
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