President Bola Tinubu’s Senior Special Assistant on Administration and Office Coordination, Dr. Usman Mohammed-Shettima, has organized a grand horse racing competition to celebrate the Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi daughters’ wedding ceremony.
Recall that the royal father had given out four of his daughters in marriage.
The wedding ceremony took place in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, and attended by an array of politicians, traditional rulers, businessmen and other well-wishers from within and outside Borno State.
The competition commenced on Saturday at 4pm in a grand style, following the marriage solemnization at Ramat Square.
The event was graced by various dignitaries, with the final day witnessing the attendance of the Shehu of Borno, Mai Hassan Ibn Ahmad, Mai Aririyu of Chad Republic, district heads, and other traditional title holders.
Bazannah Kakaje, the representative of the Turb Club and the Lawan of Fezzan ward in Maiduguri, described the competition as “the first of its kind in recent years”.
Mr Kakaje commended the presidential aide for rejuvenating the historic horse racing tradition that used to be a hallmark of the Borno Emirate.
“The last time we witnessed this kind of mind-boggling horse race was in 2011, and we kindly request Dr. Usman and other critical stakeholders to consider organizing a race quarterly to enrich the cultural heritage of the Borno emirate,” Mr Kakaje said.
According to Mr Kakaje, the competition symbolizes a revival of the community’s rich traditions, noting that a total of one million and five hundred thousand naira has been allocated for the first, second, and third-place winners of the competition.
The celebrants expressed happiness over their victories and described the race as an encouragement from the sponsor to support youth programs, thereby uniting the youths in the state.
The competition has brought together people from various parts of Maiduguri, fostering a sense of unity and cultural pride within the Borno Emirate.
