Kano state Governor, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has observed that it is high time host communities stopped regarding fellow Nigerians from other places domiciled with them as non-indigenes, saying irrespective of one’s place of origin, the peoples unity in diversity must not be compromised.
“I believe Nigerians should come together to throw away this idea of non-indigenes especially people who have been in a place for a very long time – people who have contributed so much to the development of that area. I believe these are some of the issues that must be addressed”, Kwankwaso stated.
“Therefore let me call on my brothers and sisters especially politicians who gain so much by bringing this division, the issue of ethnicity, the issue of religion, the issue of north and south or sometimes you even find some people from neighboring states living together, yet these people are considered as non indigenes. I do not believe that is correct, and we have to get away of making people as comfortable as possible in places where they choose to stay in this country.”
Gov. Kwankwaso made the assertion during a meeting with different resident communities in the state, at Africa House, Kano Government House on Sunday, pointing out that to him where anybody is residing is his home irrespective of ethnic or geographic origin.
“We are lucky that we have so many people from every part of the country living this state. In fact, Nigerians from all the states of the federation live here and vice-verse and that is exactly what it should be,” the governor emphasized.
“Many people call our brothers and sisters who come from other parts of this country as non indigenes; it is time to look at this word of ‘non indigenes’. During my first time as governor, I know many of you who have worked tirelessly with the state government to bring peace in the state,” Kwankwaso added.
According to him, “one could imagine how I would have felt, for staying in a place for 30 years and they are still giving me that label of no-indigene. In any case these are issues that have to do with good leadership – a strong leadership that can sell its programs and projects to the people”.
The governor told the gathering that he gained a lot of experience on national unity and mutual accommodation during his days as a youth corps member, in the old Ogun state, narrating with nostalgia that he was always at home in the city of Abeokuta.
He, therefore, called on all Nigerians residing in Kano to continue to work with the state government to accelerate development and to ensure lasting peace, stressing that Kano, as an ancient commercial city, will remain home to all Nigerians irrespective of where they come from.
Responding, leaders of the South-south, South-east, South-west and North-central communities resident in Kano thanked Governor Kwankwaso for carrying everybody along in governing the state and pledged their continued support to keep things working.
