IBRAHIM ALI writes on how Biu repelled the recent insurgency in the North East, as well as an historical excursion on the display of heroism by the legendary conqueror-Yamtara Wala- and the replication of his attributes by his progeny.
When the North-east was plunged into a state of despondency by insurgents, and the Biu Emirate was threatened, like the heroic warrior that he is, Emir Of Biu in Borno state, Mai Umar Mustapha Aliyu who also goes by the title: Dinar, Alvari or Davura, threw the gauntlet, drew the battle line and led from the front. He is perhaps the only emir in the state, aside Shehu of Borno that did not leave his chiefdom at the peak of the crisis.
With the support of another Biu son, a man of stupefied taciturnity, the terror of terrorists, the ‘Yamtara-wala’ of the Nigerian Army and Chief of Army Staff, General Yusuf Tukur Burutai, the government and local security agencies; the monarch mobilised the entire communities of Biu-both male and female, young and old – to the battleground and confronted the Boko Haram marauders; in a show of support to the soldiers.
It was this warfare strategy and using over 30 HILUX Vehicles that helped repelled the terrorists.
Biu for heroism
The story of Biu people is the story of resilience, heroism and collectivism. With British rule, Biu Division was created in 1918. Mai Ari Dogo was the first emir in 1920. The area became known as the Biu federation after 1957, when the districts of Shani and Askira were added to the emirate.
While many empires crumbled and others left to wallow in the valley of despair, the forbearers of the current emir had repelled greater expansionists and conquerors, including the Fulani Jihad led by Othman Bin Fodio.
Another authority on Biu Emirate, Bukar Usman posited in his famous book: History of Biu, that the Emirate whose roots date back to 1535, was replete with indefatigable leaders, great warriors and heroic personalities who are now the constellation of their emeriti.
While the duo held sway in their various callings, another son of Biu was on hand to support from the economic hemisphere.
Birma’s power
The act of heroism in Biu Emirate has also been displayed by the kingmakers who are symbols of political authority currently under the headship of the Birma of Biu, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Birma, a legal luminary and an accomplished business mogul of repute. No surprise that the recent turbanning of traditional title holders were made based on inheritance and credibility of the recipients.
Birma’s forbearers determined who got what power in the Biu Emirate Council. Now as the kingmaker cum lawyer, his judgment is often sought, courted and highly respected. Birma is the Chief Executive of MatrixVille Consortium Ltd, a multipurpose business vehicle in Kaduna.
While exercising his birth right in the court of traditional leadership, he has also been famous in contributing to the economic wellbeing of his people. His empowerment schemes, strides in life and philosophy have never been in question, Mr. Ali says.
The Emirate has a quartet, including its representative in the Nigerian parliament, Mukhtar Aliyu Betara, who currently chairs the House Committee on Defence.
Without doubt, their records and feats, to say the least, preceded them, but they have, nonetheless, taken high risk, maintain high moral ground and fight for the liberation of their people from the recent insecurity unleashed on the North-east.
The Fulani Jihad bypassed the Biu empire, ditto the Rabbe; as such when the Boko Haram made an attempt to infiltrate Biu, they had nothing but to content with an reincarnated ancient bravery hanging in the offing.
“The contribution of the Emir of Biu, Mai Umar Mustafa to peace and stability in the North East, arguably, cannot be reduced to words or better still, surpassed. Those who know him well will attest to this as an irrefutable axiom.”
His forthrightness has earned him a lot of goodwill from his peers around the world, and from among his subjects. He is seen as an Emir with a difference exemplified by his charisma, unquestionable fate, sound judgment, unalloyed commitment to the unity of Nigeria, as well as his sterling contribution to peace and development.
He has never rested on his oars in the bid to ensuring that the sordid twin monsters of insurgency and poverty are nipped in the bud.
His subjects see him as an indefatigable leader, a mentor primus inter pares, a humanist par excellence and a generous leader nulli secundus. The monarch is currently a veritable host and backbone to the peace effort as well as humanitarian workers in the troubled region.
The emir has also helped in keeping the aged legacy of Biu Kingdom, a fortress town that sits majestically in South of Borno on a Plateau replete with precipitous escarpments; a safe haven that repels evil and a hub for commerce and cultural renaissance. He believes that the heterogeneity of Biu Emirate is its greatest strength.
No wonder providence has placed under his custody the rich cultures and traditions woven together. Biu, of course, has been the gateway for civilizations.
The emir, has been able to retain the fortress embedded in Biu as a territory that has never, and will never be conquered insha Allah. In the same historical context, the fearsome El-kanemi warriors could not overpower Biu.
Buratai
The chorus in Biu Emirate, is now “while yamtara-wala has gone, another has come.” Ngza Yamta kisi laburtsa-yamta naawaltsa(from the book: History of Biu, by Bukar Usman).
Indeed he has carved a niche and secured a place for himself in history.
Paradoxically, Buratai, the man saddled with the responsibility of quelling the insurgency is also from Biu Emirate. He is much qualified to a answer the edifying sobriquet, ‘conqueror of terrorists.’
Reminiscent of a highly disciplined General of his ilk, he has succeeded in securing a historical place for himself and as well etched his memory on the psych of the world.
While this may be his appellation within the international community, his people from the emirate would perhaps prefer to call him, ‘Yamtara-wala of the Nigerian Army.’
Commentators say like the Emir’s ivory virtue, the Army Chief stands tall in his calling. It was his bravery as an incorruptible officer that ensnared him to President Muhammadu Buhari. Since his appointment, he has lived up to his calling, by becoming a nightmare to the dreaded Boko Haram. He is not only a son of a soldier but a hero to the Biu, to Nigeria, Africa and the world.
This is why the soldiers refer to him as, the soldier’s soldier, the soldier’s general or the gentleman soldier because of his magnifying smile, calmness and the confidence he exudes.
Rating insurgency campaign
In the same token, his counter insurgency campaign has been highly appraised and commended. That is why he has several awards in his kitty since taking over the reins of leadership of the Nigerian Army.
It is for his probity, professionalism, accountability and transparency that he bagged ‘The African Man of the Year Award for the year 2017’ announced recently by the Pan African Amalgam, the Coalition for Governance and Leadership in Africa. Above all, he is a Terror to terrorists.
Aliyu Betara
Besides the duo is Btetara, another patriotic son of Biu and member, House of Representatives. He represents the good people of Biu, Shani, Kwayya Kusar and Bayo Federal Constituency at the green chamber of the National Assembly.
He is what has been referred as complete gentleman and a lawmaker per excellence.
The quartet has been consistent in preserving the legacy, the bravery and the courage of the legendary founder of Biu Emirate-the Great Yamtara-Wala.
If the gallantry and bravery of Biu Emirate is anything to go by, or at best emulated by other chiefdoms in North East, the crisis would have been nipped in the bud.
Ali writes from Biu, Borno state via [email protected].
Health
Malaria: Enugu approves N36m for World Bank Project
By Raphael Ede
Enugu
The Enugu State Executive Council has approved N36 million as Commitment fee to participate in a World Bank-sponsored programme, aimed at reducing malaria in the state.
The Enugu state Commissioner for Health, Fintan Ekochin, disclosed this at a news conference, recently in Enugu.
Ekochin said 12 other states in the country were selected for participation in the programme, powered by the World Bank through the National Malaria Elimination Programme.
The commissioner said that the programme was significant for the state, as it would be the first time the state would be benefiting from an international funding for malaria in recent times.
He said: “At the inception of this administration in 2015, the state had no international partner or donor agency funding for malaria.
“The burden of malaria in the state had been fought with funds available in the state, and this was in stark contradiction to what other states enjoyed in malaria eradication efforts.”
Ekochin said the current administration in Enugu State put in much effort from 2017, culminating in this success story.
He added that the state government was able to meet all conditions necessary for participation in the programme, which was a commitment fee.
He further added: “To qualify for funding therefore, a commitment fee of N36 million was required and that was what the council just approved.
“With this approval, we have now met all the conditions and we are sure to make the nomination list because not all the selected states will be funded.
“With the programme, the state can go into active malaria control in a multi disciplinary approach.”
The commissioner said that the programme would involve distribution of free mosquito nets, as well as subsidised malaria treatment for children under five years, pregnant women and adults.
He noted that the programme was expected to commence in the first quarter of 2018 if the state was selected.
Ear cleaning: ENT surgeon warns against use of cotton buds, others
An Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeon, Prof. Titus Ibekwe, has urged the general public to desist from using cotton buds, pen cover, car keys, among others to clean their ear.
Ibekwe, who is with the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that such practices were harmful to the ear.
He said that the practice of using feather or pouring hot oil in the ear to clean it, was also harmful.
The consultant ENT surgeon said that such practices exposed the ear canal to infections, which could cause temporal or permanent damage to the ear.
Ibekwe said that the ear had the ability to clean itself.
“It is tempting to use cotton bud or other objects when you feel your ears are blocked, but this can interrupt the natural cycle of wax production, which actually acts as a self-cleaning agent.
“Earwax is the normal substance that the body produces to clean and protect the ears.
“Using any substance to remove such wax will further push it into the canal, thereby causing a blockage which in the long run causes hearing loss among other complications.’’
The consultant noted that a lot of people engaged in these practices and self treatment ignorant, saying that it was not advisable health-wise.
“You are not supposed to clean the ear with anything, because the ear canal has the kind of configuration that will hinder you from removing the intended dirt or wax.
“The problem is that efforts to eliminate earwax only create further issues because the earwax is just getting pushed down and impacted further into the ear canal.
“Anything that fits in the ear can cause serious harm to the ear drum and canal with the potential for temporary or even permanent damage,’’ he added.
Ibekwe urged the public to consult ENT experts in the event of any hearing or ear challenge for proper diagnosis and medication. (NAN)
Nutritionist cautions people against Ketogenic diet
A nutritionist, Prof. Ngozi Nnam, has advised people against the practice of a ketogenic diet, saying it could damage their kidneys.
Nnam gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The free encyclopaedia, says: “Ketogenic diet is a high-fat, adequate-protein, low-carbohydrate diet that in medicine is used primarily to treat difficult-to-control (refractory) epilepsy in children.
“The diet forces the body to burn fats rather than carbohydrates.
“Normally, the carbohydrates contained in food are converted into glucose, which is then transported around the body and is particularly important in fueling brain-function.”
Nnam said: “The keto diet, as it is popularly called, is being adopted by a growing number of people.
“There is no scientific basis to ascertain its effectiveness in promoting permanent weight loss.
“What goes on in the body with the ketogenic diet is that with the normal diet, the body uses glucose derived from carbohydrate to generate energy for activities.
“In the case of a ketogenic diet, you are switching from the use of glucose to the use of fats.
“This means that you are going from what is natural to what is not natural and the body goes into starvation mode and the body switches to fat to stay alive and active.”
According to Nnam, ketogenic diet alters the natural course of utilisation of biomolecule for energy just to stay active by replacing glucose with fat.
She said: “While we don’t have reports on the long term effects of ketogenic diet on individuals because it is being newly embraced, it will take time before study can be done to ascertain the effects on individuals.
“We are only used to seeing fast results such as weight loss, but we don’t consider the long-term effects on our body from a physiological and metabolic point of view.
“We, however, know that the process of the body using fat to stay active and alive will result in too much pressure, which will be exerted on the kidney.
“Kidney protein will be excreted in abnormal way and this is not good for the kidney.
“This might pose a big challenge in the future and lead to eventual kidney damage.”
Nnam urged people to seek the opinion of expert nutritionists in addressing weight problems and obesity.
She said: “We need to make people aware about the risk of following random advice from anyone regarding our health and nutrition.
“In matters of the body and health, there is no universal hat that fits all.
“We must talk with a qualified nutritionist.” (NAN)
