Olu Samuel

Civil rights Activist and former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has released funds to carry out the renovation of the palace of the deposed late Etsu Nupe Bida, Mallam Ibrahim Abubakar, who died in 1911 in Lokoja.

Sani disclosed this in an interview with our Correspondent on Monday in Lokoja.

The renown Human Rights Activist, also promised to add more funds for the rehabilitation and revive the Islamiyah School, hosting the tombs of the deposed late Emir of Kano, Mallam Aliyu Abdullahi (Maisango) 1903, and that of Emir of Gwandu, Muhammadu Aliyu, 1902.

Recall that Senator Shehu Sani during a tour of the tombs of Six deposed Emirs by British colonialists in Lokoja last week had promised the renovation and urged Nigerians to imbibe the culture of appreciating the freedom fighters who stood in defence of the country.

Sani stressed that the deposed Emirs from Northern Nigerian who were exiled to Lokoja where they died, deserved proper recognition.

The human rights activist said he had taken it upon himself to renovate the Lokoja Palace of the deposed Etsu Nupe with the cooperation of the emirate.

“My intension to renovate the palace of the deposed Etsu Nupe in Lokoja is still on course as the necessary arrangements are being put in place for a hitch-free project execution.

“I also saw an abandoned Islamiyah School where the Emirs were buried, and I have expressed interest in rehabilitating and reviving the school.

“I have also released some fund for the renovation of the palace of the deposed the late Etsu Nupe, Bida, Mallam Ibrahim Abubakar, who died in 1911 in Lokoja.

“I am also going to make fund available for the renovation and revival of the Islamiyah School, and the immediate commencement of recruitment of teachers and students into the Islamiyah school.

“This is the contribution I am going to make in conjunction with the Custodians of this place,” Sani said.

Sani, who was the Senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District from 2015 to 2019, reaffirmed his commitment as Pan Africanist to continue to appreciate freedom fighters who defended the country territorial land.

Mr Abdullahi Ibrahim, the great grandson of deposed Etsu Abubakar, commended the senator for the gesture in renovating the palace of their deposed emir who was his great grand father.

He said the late deposed Etsu Nupe fought gallantly for his people and refused to bow down to colonialists.

“We are happy that the Senator came to visit the palace, and we are very grateful to him for prompt release of fund for the renovation of the palace.

“Many people including government officials have been coming to make several promises to renovate the palace but they never fulfilled their promises.

“The senator visited the palace on Saturday, and ask us to submit the proposal for the palace renovation.

“He released the fund on Sunday. The renovation work will soon start with the support of the emirate,” Ibrahim said.