December 18, (THEWILL) — Kanem Borno, a pre-colonial empire covering the current Borno, Jigawa, Yobe states, and Kanuri communities in five countries of the Lake Chad region, has announced its second cultural summit centred on how to counter violent extremism that is hampering the socio-economic, peace and stability of the region.
At least 1,000 delegates from the ethnic communities and peoples that constituted the ancient Kanem-Borno Empire in Nigeria and the Diaspora are to converge in Maiduguri, capital of Borno State.
The region has been battling terrorism, climate change, poverty, and restiveness, which ravaged the countries, including Nigeria, Niger Republic, Chad, Cameroon and Sahel over a decade.
Zanna Hassan Boguma, the chairman of the summit, disclosed to newsmen in Maiduguri that they will converge under the auspices of the Biennial Kanem-Borno 2nd Annual General Conference/Cultural Summit.
They held the maiden summit in January 2024, in Maiduguri, for the same purpose.
With the theme: Echoes of Resilience: Harnessing Culture for Peace and Regional Stability, the 2026 summit will attract participants from the four Lake Chad Basin countries – Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon, as well as other countries from across the world.
According to him, participants, including scholars from Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Sahel nations, will present papers on the sustenance of Kanuri culture, security and the economy of the Lake Chad region, and the recharging of the lake.
“This Summit will serve as a global homecoming, bringing together sons and daughters of Kanem-Borno from across Nigeria and around the world, including members of the diaspora, scholars, professionals, traditional rulers, cultural custodians, youth and women.
“It is a deliberate effort to reconnect our people to their shared heritage and mobilise collective wisdom, resources and networks for the peace and stability of our region”, the Zanna Boguma of Borno explained.
He said, “As you all are aware, Lake Chad Basin is the lifeline of the economy of West Africa and the Sahel. We are expecting people from Ghana, Togo, the Niger Republic, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Central Africa.
“We are expecting over 1,000 participants from different parts of the world, mostly from the academics, traditional institutions, cultural experts, groups and associations, senior government officials in the country, political leaders, and cultural ambassadors and administrators”, he told journalists.
He added, “Building on the success of the maiden edition, the 2nd Bi-annual Kanem-Bornu Cultural Summit seeks to deepen conversations around identity, resilience, and responsibility.
“At a time when the Lake Chad Basin continues to face security, humanitarian and socio-economic challenges, this Summit positions culture as a unifying force and a strategic tool for peacebuilding, reconciliation, and regional cooperation and integration.
“The 2nd edition of the Biennial Kanem-Borno Summit is inclusive, non-partisan and forward-looking. It seeks to complement ongoing security and development efforts by providing a cultural, intellectual, and people-driven platform that strengthens social cohesion and fosters long-term peace and stability in the region.”
