Politics
THE Gung Zaar of Sayawa Chiefdom in Bauchi State, Markus Yake, says the creation of the Zaar Chiefdom after 34 years of waiting has restored complete peace to the land.
Yake spoke on Saturday in Bauchi at the 2026 LHMB Zaar Cultural Festival celebrated by communities in Tafawa Balewa, Dass and Bogoro Local Government Areas.
He said the Federal Military Government under Gen. Ibrahim Babangida in 1992 issued a White Paper based on the report of the Justice Babalakin Judicial Commission of Inquiry made a case for the creation of the chiefdom out of the Bauchi Emirate.
According to him, successive administrations lacked the political will to implement the directive until Gov. Bala Mohammed created the chiefdom.
He said the governor did not only establish the chiefdom but sited its headquarters in Murram Namchi, and granted the Gung Zaar first-class status.
The traditional ruler said the governor also awarded contracts for palaces for the Gung Zaar and six district heads, with construction at an advanced stage.
“Your Excellency, you have written your name in gold in the heart of every Zaar man and woman, living and in posterity,” he said.
Yake said the annual LHMB Zaar Festival, which marks the beginning of the harvest season, showcases the rich cultural heritage and collective aspirations of the Zaar people and provides a platform to preserve language, culture and values.
He urged youths to be peaceful, respectful and industrious, to avoid misuse of social media, drugs and illicit drinks, and to be proud ambassadors of Zaar.
He also urged sons and daughters of Zaar in the diaspora to invest in their homeland.
Earlier, Gov. Bala Mohammed described Nigeria’s cultural diversity as one of its greatest assets and a foundation for a united, peaceful and prosperous society.
Mohammed said cultural festivals provide opportunities for people from different ethnic backgrounds to interact and strengthen cooperation, but warned that cultural identities should never be allowed to undermine national unity.
He stressed the need to preserve traditional institutions and cultural practices for sustaining heritage and fostering harmony.
The Chairman of the occasion and a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Yayale Ahmed, congratulated the people of Zaar Chiefdom and urged them to embrace peace.
NAN reports that the festival featured display of colourful cultural attires, dance and other performances (NAN)
A.I
Nov. 15, 2026
Tags: Markus Yake