The Borno State government has pledged its support for initiatives aimed at promoting unity, cohesion and regional integration among communities that formed part of the historic Kanem-Bornu empire.

Hassan Bosuma, special adviser to Governor Babagana Zulum on culture and regional integration, made the pledge at a news conference on Tuesday in Maiduguri to discuss a 459-page book titled Les Sommets Kanem Bornu, authored by Aboubakar Nour, a Chadian.

Mr Bosuma said the shared history and cultural heritage of the Kanem-Bornu empire should help strengthen relationships among people across the Lake Chad Basin.

He said the empire’s historical influence extended across territories that are now parts of Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and other countries in the region.

“It is a privilege to share this knowledge and to reflect on our shared heritage, which was shaped by our history and the experiences of our people,” he said.

According to him, heritage is not merely a memory of the past but a reflection of where people came from, who they are and the future they seek to build.

He urged stakeholders to ensure that preserving and sharing history did not become a source of division but instead promoted understanding, cooperation and unity.

Mr Bosuma said the region needed greater awareness and deliberate efforts to preserve its cultural heritage and transmit it to future generations.

He added that the initiative should also encourage dialogue on contemporary challenges, rebuild trust, and strengthen cooperation among communities and countries linked by the former empire.

The special adviser stressed the importance of translating the book into English to enable more young people, particularly those who do not understand French, to access the historical knowledge it contains.

Mr Nour, the author, said the book was intended to improve understanding of the region’s shared heritage.

He said the people’s common history should strengthen unity and cooperation while creating a shared vision for the future. 

(NAN)