Nigerian royal urges Boakai to invest in agriculture, human resources

By Lincoln G. Peters

A Nigerian royal Alhaji Shehu Ashimi II Ibn Umar Al-amin El-Kanemi has urged Liberian President Amb. Joseph Nyuma Boakai to invest in agriculture and human resource development.

The Emir of Damaturu believes that this will put Liberia on the path of developmental potential and compete with sub-regional counterparts. 

Alhaji El-Kanemi spoke with journalists at the Nigerian Embassy in Oldest Congo Town on Tuesday, 23 January 2024.

During his interaction with journalists, Alhaji El-Kanemi appealed to President Boakai to take adequate advantage of the richness of Liberia’s soil to harness the country’s developmental potential.

“What is more important is the development of Liberia, a very blessed and fertile land covered with streams,” he said. 

“What I will encourage and advise His Excellency is to dwell more on agriculture. Investment in agriculture and human resources development is paramount to Liberia’s developmental potential.”

According to him, this land is fertile, and the younger generation is in the position to lead the charge.

Alhaji El-Kanemi also wants the Unity Party (UP)-led government under President Boakai to invest in the youthful population of Africa’s oldest Republic.

The Nigerian envoy encouraged the new government to focus more energy on sensitizing Liberia’s youthful population to the importance of being self-sufficient.

“Seeing the resources, both mineral and human in Liberia, I see no reason why Liberia cannot be at the top of all nations,” said Alhaji El-Kanemi.

According to him, there’s a key area in sensitizing and enlightening the youths for them to be self-sufficient for them to start on their own.

He expressed optimism that Liberia can surmount all the developmental challenges of the new government and pay keen attention to agriculture and human resource development.

The Nigerian envoy who was part of his country’s delegation to the inauguration of Liberia’s President on Monday, 22 January 2024, also advised Liberians to embrace peace and 

genuine reconciliation.

“We have to accept ourselves; we have to be our brother’s keeper and exhibit the sense of belonging to our brothers and sisters so that development can thrive,” the Nigerian envoy said.

Following the inauguration of President Boakai, the Nigerian royal wants Liberia to unite amidst political, tribal, and religious diversities for the general good of the country.

He beseeched Liberians to embrace genuine peace because, in the absence of peace, development cannot take place.

“Where there’s no peace, there’s no development; where there’s no peace, the survival and quality of development is questionable.”

He also praised President Boakai for a well-pointed inaugural speech because the speech signifies the President’s commitment to provide an environment where every citizen can contribute to the nation’s growth and development.

He said: “I sincerely appreciate and congratulate the inaugural speech of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai. To me, the inaugural speech of the president has sent a very good signal and a very significant, positive [message] to all Liberians and Africans at large.”

He praised Liberians for what he termed as the genuine exhibition of a glamourous display of true democracy in the peaceful manner they conducted themselves in the November 14, 2023, Presidential run-off election.

According to him, Liberia’s conduct in the democratic transition of power has placed Africa’s oldest republic as a leader of the continent.

He wants the UP-led government to remain committed to its pledge of a more inclusive, transparent, and accountable democracy.

His Royal Highness Alhaji Shehu Ashimi II Ibn Umar Al-amin El-Kanemi is the King of Damaturu Emirate of Yobe State in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

At some point in time, Damaturu Emirate was part of the Ngazaragamo Emirates which is situated in Gaidam and extended as far as Chad to the east and Niger to the North.

In November 2003, the Yobe State Governor Bukar Ibrahim approved the appointment of Baba Shehu Hashimi II Ibn Umar El-Kanemi as Shehu Emir of Damaturu.

His Royal Highness was appointed Emir of Damaturu on May 15, 2004. He succeeded his brother Alhaji Bukar Ibn El-Kanemi who had died in Mecca the previous year.

After Yobe State was created in 1991, he transferred to the state government and in 1996 was Director of Finance and Supply in the Governor’s office.

His Royal Highness was a guest of the Monday, January 22, 2024, inaugural ceremony on the invitation of the Unity Party by its National Chairman Reverend Luther Tarpeh.