By James Swam
In African society, and indeed the rest of the world, a title, honour, recognition, or testimonial is presented as a compliment for accomplishing a goal. It’s a distinction of preeminence that communicates admiration or gratitude.
It signifies the value of a person to the community that bestows the title. It bears testimony to the character, conduct, and ability of the recipient. A traditional title, therefore, isn’t conferred on just anybody but a person worthy or desirable.
And so in the penultimate week, the governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, was found worthy by the Atyap traditional council. The paramount ruler of Atyap Chiefdom, the Agwatyap, His Highness, Chief Dominic Gambo Yahaya, conferred on the governor the traditional title of “A Chat Atyap” at his palace in Zangon Kataf. This event, steeped in nostalgia, reflects the longstanding practice of expression of esteem in our societies.
“A Chat Atyap” literally means a lover of Atyap people in English or “mai kaunar kasan nan” in Hausa. The title underscores the governor’s remarkable positive relationship with the chiefdom’s people in the seven months since assuming office, making him the first in its history to receive this honour. Observers easily discerned the significance of the title in terms of relevance even before the traditional ruler provided justification.
The Agwatyap justified the conferment in a brief speech, highlighting the governor’s visit as historic, memorable, and indicative of a commitment to rural transformation. The governor’s projects in the chiefdom, including a feeder road for transporting farm produce and a Vocational and Technology Skills Acquisition City at Samaru Kataf, were deemed groundbreaking and seen as valuable contributions to youth empowerment and the reduction of adolescent delinquency in the Chiefdom and the state.
In acknowledgment of these initiatives, the Chief expressed that the governor had become a friend of the people. He pledged loyalty and support, extending it to all the governor’s programs and activities in the state.
In addition to various projects, achieving peace in the local government, chiefdom, and the entire zone stands out as a significant accomplishment during the governor’s first seven months in office. Preceding this administration, the community endured extensive suffering from violence, facing widespread carnage and destruction of farmlands, homes, and valuables at the hands of “unknown” gunmen and marauding herders.
For nearly a decade, the local government residents faced daily onslaught of raids, killings, and village displacements by criminal elements, creating a prolonged period of sorrow. However, tranquility has returned to the chiefdom since Uba Sani assumed office, the chief acknowledged. The community has witnessed a rejuvenation. The governor’s proactive approach was evident when he met with the service chiefs in July, two months into his administration, advocating for an end to attacks on vulnerable villagers in southern Kaduna and the entire state.
Moreover, the governor publicly pledged, following a Security Council meeting in early November, to resettle 15 Southern Kaduna communities displaced by bandits, many of which are from the chiefdom, ensuring their return to their ancestral homes. This commitment marks a positive shift towards stability and the well-being of the affected communities.
The governor’s comforting stance aims to foster a lasting sense of care and connection, leaving an indelible imprint that may endure a lifetime. Governor Uba Sani’s dedication to safeguarding lives and property, coupled with the prevailing peace, elicits excitement within the chiefdom and the zone.
Psychologists emphasise the significance of moving forward in various aspects of life—friendship, politics, business, family, and achievement—acknowledging that life resembles a rollercoaster. This holds true as purposeful steps to disengage from the past’s shadows contribute to the healing process. The chiefdom’s action of conferring a traditional title on the governor aims to rebuild trust between the people and the government, fostering a new phase of positive relationships.
Honour is reserved for those who truly merit it. The people have finally found a good reason to honour the Kaduna State governor with a distinctive traditional title. “A Chat Atyap”, let the peace be sustained.
Swam is former Secretary, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Kaduna Chapter
