We have to appreciate Emirs deposed by colonialists for defending Nigeria –  Shehu Sani

Shehu Sani, a former lawmaker who represented Kaduna Central at the Nigeria Senate has called for the appreciation and honour of freedom fighters who lost their lives defending the country.

Speaking during his visit to the tombs of six Emirs who were deposed for allegedly refusing to bow down British colonialists, Sani urged Nigerian governments at all level to do the needful.

Accompanied by Suleiman Ahmed, the former senator said, “Today, I am on the visit to the tombs of the Emirs from Northern Nigerians who were deposed by the British Colonialists and exiled to Lokoja where they died. Here, particularly, is the tomb of the late Emir of Kano, Mallam Aliyu Abdullahi (Maisango) who died in 1903.

“We have to appreciate the freedom fighters, those who stood in defence of our country. As a Pan-Africanist, someone who has been involved in the struggle for rights for freedom and justice, and someone who appreciates history a lot, Sani said.

He also appreciated the audacity of the late Emir while stating that his visit aims to send a clear message to Nigerian to never look back in doing what is right.

He said, “I am here to appreciate this noble Emirs who stood in the defence of our country. This visit is to also send a clear message to Nigerians and to inspire others, that as we move forward as a country and as a people, we should also look backwards to appreciate those who fought and laid their lives and made sacrifices for us.

“Here, are Emirs who are lying down in their tombs; they were not deposed by their people but by the colonialists who came to enslave our people and take over our country and our resources. The Emirs that refused to bow down to colonialists, the ones who stood for freedom and defended our territorial land; we owe them a lot,” he said.