Adamu Yusuf
Fulbe Development and Cultural Organization has organised maiden Pulaaku Day 2024 successfully with the call on pastoralists to adapt to the current realities of Nigeria and Africa.
The day Is being organized for the first time, to promote Fulbe culture, heritage, peace, unity and peaceful co-existence among the broad diversity of Fulbe and other cultures.
The event took place at the Emir of Zazzau’s Palace, Zaria, Kaduna State features the recitation of Al-Quran, exhibition of cultural artifacts, public lectures, fashion parade, cultural dances, traditional stick fighting display among others.
In his address, the Founder and National Chairman of Fulbe Development and Cultural Organization FUDECO, Mr. Sali Sadou Nana said the event was organized to commemorate the United Nations International Day of Indigenous Peoples and their knowledge which scheduled to take place annually.
The Day also highlight the rights of Indigenous peoples to make their own decisions and carry them out in ways that are meaningful and culturally appropriate to them.
Mr. Sali Nana urged Fulbe and Nigerians to stay away from all forms of criminality, ethno-religious hatred and violence and to promote their positive cultural values, peace and unity, as well as respect other people’s cultures.
The Chief Host of the occasion, the Emir of Zazzau, Malam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli described Fulbe community in Nigeria as peace loving that hold their core values for their heritage not violence.
“It is the bad eggs that gave bad names to the real Fulbe in this country, describing them as the most learned and enlightened in Nigeria because the late Islamic scholar Shehu Usman Fodio had greatly impacted knowledge on them even before the colonial master era” he said.
The Emir expressed dissatisfaction on how Fulbe were linked with cases of banditry and kidnapping in Nigeria, adding that it was not their heritage and it was blackmail.
In his remarks, Kaduna State Coordinator of FUDECO, Bar. Abubakar Ibrahim Naseh said, the wrong names giving to Fulbe by some section of Nigeria is a planned to destroy them on the history they have in the country.
He sighted an example that if any western or eastern tribe committed criminal offence they address them as unknown gunmen while they called Fulbe as Bandits or Kidnappers.
Also speaking on the Significance of occasion, the former Director General, Voice of Nigeria (VON), Alhaji Abubakar Jijiwa said it was an avenue for all Fulbe to assembled and interact on issues affecting them directly or indirectly.
He appealed to them to reunite and address the lingering issues which gave them very bad name in Nigeria.
Alhaji Jijiwa also warned them to wake up and reclaimed their position and values amongst Nigerian states which was trying to be eluded.
Earlier in his remarks, the Ardon Ardodin Zazzau, Alhaji Abubakar Umar expressed confidence that Fulbe would bounce back to reclaimed their position in Nigeria.
In an interview, the National Coordinator of Pulaaku day, Fatima Zahra Bashir said Fulbe are peace loving people and they made significant contributions to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
She advised youths on the importance of acquiring both Western and Islamic education, as well as skills acquisition, to become self-reliant.
“ This holistic approach to education and personal development is essential for the Fulbe community’s continued growth and contributions to society” she said.
The theme of these years event is “ Celebrating Fulbe Culture, Heritage, Peace and Unity” in collaboration with the United Nations International Day of indigenous people.