By Abubakar Mohammed,
Damaturu
The Emir of Fika and Chairman Yobe State Council of Chiefs, Dr Muhammad Ibn Abali Muhammad Idrissa, has conferred the traditional title of Ya Moran on Hajiya Hauwa Bah Bukar, the state Commissioner of Women Affairs.
The title, according to the monarch, was in recognition of her selfless service to the state.
Hajiya Hauwa Bah Bukar, who hails from Fika Local Government Area of Yobe State, was born on March 3, 1955 in Potiskum town.
She began her early education at Nangere Primary School 1962-1968 then Government Girls Secondary School Maiduguri 1969-1973, Northeast College of Arts and Science Maiduguri 1973-1975, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria where she obtained her B.sc in Sociology and MPA programme at ABU Zaria 1983-1984, Middle Level Management Course (NIM).
She took her first appointment as a Social Welfare Officer II and rose to the position of Director General, Permanent Secretary and voluntarily retired in 2015.
The new Ya Moran of Fika is a seasoned civil servant cum politician who has contributed to the development of both Borno and Yobe states.
After the presentation of the traditional title letter signed by the Galadima of Fika, Air Commodore Ibrahim Alkali (rtd), the commissioner said, “I feel highly honoured and grateful to Almighty Allah for having such recognition from the highest and most respectful personality like His Royal Highness the Emir of Fika and Chairman Yobe State Council of Chiefs Dr Muhammad Ibn Abali Muhammad Idrissa CON.
“I will continue to render my maximum service to the promotion of the Emirate and the community to enhance the progress of our people. I once again remain thankful to Allah SWT for blessing me with education and positions that were meant mainly for male gender. I had been a Permanent Secretary for 17 years. I discharged my duties to the community and entire people of Yobe State who have been my target especially the women group and youth”.
On women, she said, “I’m passionate about the development and progress of women through empowerment and education. After my retirement from the civil service in 2015, I was able to initiate and register my personal NGO which was specifically designed or focuse towards the development of the needy, orphans, less privileged and widows. These vulnerable groups became my priority apart from the usual assistance to other individuals”.
According to her, “As for Fika Emirate, I was opportuned to be in the mainstream of the Emirate since the days of the late Moi Fikka, Alhaji (Dr) Abali Ibn Muhammad Idrissa of blessed memory. Issues of Fika development, I was made the chairperson of Fika Development Association, Women Wing since when Yobe was under Borno State. This motivated me to lead issues concerning women in my community.
“When the present Emir came on board, I was recognized to be part of the stakeholders for his installation in the Feeding Committee. This singular role also gave me an opportunity to be closer to the Emir and to the Emirate.
“Another opportunity for me to serve on adhoc was my membership in the resource mobilization Committee of Potiskum Central Mosque as well as Fika Central Mosque. I took these opportunities given to me as a privilege because for a woman to be seen and recognized within a traditional society where men play the biggest role with women at the background has made a prominent figure within my community. “Alhamdulillah, my mission and vision is to see that Fika Emirate is unified and peaceful for every tribe to flourish and progress. I believe in oneness of our people with the support from the Almighty Allah, Fika Emirate will be a shinning example of people living in harmony with sons and daughters making it progress”.
