By Ibrahim Sulaiman
The emir of Zazzau, Shehu Idris, on Tuesday denied access to the venue of the commissioning ceremony of the multi-billion naira Olam Poultry and Feed Mill in Kaduna.
The US$150m investment, expected to produce 1.2m day-old chicks weekly, and create 3, 000 jobs for artisans and veterinary doctors, comprises grain silos with a combined capacity of 50, 000 metric tones, a world class state of the art hatchery and feed mill.
DAILY NIGERIAN gathered that emir arrived at the venue of the event on Tuesday morning shortly after the arrival of the state governor, Nasir el-Rufai.
Although the special guest of honour, President Muhammadu Buhari, was yet to arrive and the event has not started proper, the emir and his entourage were blocked by the security agents on “orders from the above”.
Witnesses said the emir was kept waiting for 30 minutes before offering to allow him enter alone without his aides.
The infuriated emir however rejected offer and left the venue.
“While they turned back the Emir of Zazzau, Emirs of Kano and Marwa came much later but were allowed to enter with their entourage,” said a witness.
