Senator Shehu Sani, a renowned civil rights activist and politician, has called on Nigerians and all levels of government to honour the contributions of the country’s freedom fighters.
The senator made the call during a visit to Lokoja on Monday, where he paid tribute to six deposed Emirs who resisted British colonial rule.
Accompanied by Comrade Suleiman Ahmed, Sani visited the burial sites of these Emirs, including Mallam Aliyu Abdullahi (Maisango), the late Emir of Kano, who passed away in 1903. He underscored the sacrifices made by these leaders in defending Nigeria’s sovereignty against colonial oppression.
“Today, I am on the visit to the tombs of the Emirs from Northern Nigeria who were deposed by the British colonialists and exiled to Lokoja, where they died. Here, particularly, is the tomb of the late Emir of Kano, Mallam Aliyu Abdullahi (Maisango), who died in 1903.
“We have to appreciate the freedom fighters, those who stood in defence of our country. As a Pan-Africanist, someone who has been involved in the struggle for rights, freedom, and justice, and someone who appreciates history a lot, I am here to appreciate these noble Emirs who stood in the defence of our country.
“This visit is to also send a clear message to Nigerians and to inspire others that as we move forward as a country and as a people, we should also look backwards to appreciate those who fought, laid their lives, and made sacrifices for us.
“Here are Emirs who are lying down in their tombs; they were not deposed by their people but by the colonialists who came to enslave our people and take over our country and resources. The Emirs that refused to bow down to colonialists, the ones who stood for freedom and defended our territorial land—we owe them a lot,” Sani said.
Sani, who served as the senator representing Kaduna Central from 2015 to 2019, reaffirmed his commitment to celebrating Nigeria’s historical figures who championed justice and freedom.
The Etsu Lokoja, Emmanuel Akamisoko Dauda-Shelika, along with other community leaders, commended Senator Sani’s efforts to honour these unsung heroes.
“The visit of distinguished Senator Shehu Sani and his colleague, Comrade Suleiman Ahmed, is a very welcome development, and we appreciate them for the gesture.
“Oftentimes, we hardly remember that certain people contributed to certain measures in the past. So, the visit to Lokoja, with particular interest in the tombs of the deposed Emirs, is very laudable.
“As a human rights activist, he could quickly point to the fact that these Emirs fought in defence of their people, and that was what leadership is all about,” Dauda-Shelika remarked.
The visit served as a reminder of the sacrifices made by Nigeria’s historical leaders and a call to preserve their legacy for future generations.
