Former Governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu, is set to be conferred with the traditional title of Dan Baiwan (meaning, Gifted Child), by the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar.
The monarch in a letter dated August 9, 2018 conveyed the decision of the Daura Emirate Council to honour Kalu, who is also a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
A statement endorsed by Mr Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu’s Special Adviser, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) on Friday in Abuja stated that the event would take place during the Eid-el Kabir period.
Kalu in his acceptance letter dated Aug. 16, said that the honour would encourage him to sustain his good works.
The former governor stressed that the Emir has demonstrated his passion and commitment to a united and indivisible Nigeria.
He said: “I received with so much excitement, a letter of conferment of traditional title of Dan Baiwan Hausa on me by the Daura Emirate Council headed by Emir of Daura, Alhaji (Dr) Umar Farouk Umar.
“The honour is timely and encouraging.
“I am a detribalised Nigerian. This is a good compensation for continually spreading the message of peace and unity across the nation.
“We must continue to build friendship and relationships beyond our communities.
“I was born in Aba, I had my university education in Maiduguri, and Lagos is my business base. I have workers from different ethnic groups and religions. Nigerians should see themselves as one.
“I am appreciative of the recognition of my contributions to nation building and I pledge my continued loyalty to Daura Emirate Council, Katsina State and Nigeria at large.”
Kalu, a Nigerian Igbo person from Abia is being honoured just as Governor of Kano State, a Nigerian Hausa/Fulani person only has just been honoured with an Igbo traditional titled.
What the Abia, Kano and Katsina’s emirate of Daura have just done is demonstration of how Nigerians of diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds should comport themselves for the good of country and its humanity, a respondent told The DEFENDER.
