Yobe Govt Sets up C’ttee to Restore Historic Kanem Borno Capital

Yobe State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam, has set up an eight-man committee for the demarcation, restoration and conservation of the ruins of Birnin Ngazargamo, one-time historic capital of Kanem Borno Empire.

According to a statement by the Director of Press Affairs to the governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, the committee has the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Baba Mallum Wali, as chairman and Muhammad Abare, the Director Political in the Government House as secretary.

Other members are: Professor Yakubu Mukhtar of the Yobe State University as the Vice Chairman with Mallam Hassan Gana, Mallam Abubakar Garba, Dr. Ali Manzo Usman and Mallam Lawan Abba Shettima.

The statement stated that the committee will produce a design for the project for the short, medium and long term to restore and conserve the ruins of Birnin Ngazargamo and develop it into a cultural and historical centre.

Also, the committee has the task of working to develop and promote the site into a possible World Heritage Site.

The Kanem Borno Empire, at its peak, ruled over the vast Lake Chad Basin area for over 1,000 years.

The statement said the State government hopes to tap from the tourism and research potentials of the Birnin Ngazargamo site by investing in the committee’s work.