By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
The Zaar Movement which is a coming together of Sayawa ethnic nationality of Bauchi State has been described as a beacon of hope in challenging times.
The assertion was made by Dr Philip Hayab John, Guest Speaker during the
LEM Zaar (Zaar Cultural Day) held at Pusji (Tafawa Balewa) Bauchi State on Saturday, 2nd November 2024 with the theme: Call for a Zaar Movement: Together the Zaar March to Overcome Challenges.
According to him, “Undoubtedly, the Zaar can overcome all obstacles that come their way, promote social justice, and build a brighter future by marching together.”
He stressed that, “While I congratulate the Gung Zaar and his Council, the ZDA, and the organising committee for a colourful Lem Zaar 2024, I call on you all to join the Zaar Renaissance and be part of a Zaar community that uplifts, empowers, and inspires unity in diversity, social justice and equity, irrespective of faith.”
According to him,”In today’s complex world, individuals and ethnic groups like the Zaar face numerous challenges that can appear overwhelming. These challenges could be social, economic, and environmental issues, often leaving the people feeling isolated and powerless.”
He added that,”However, by uniting and supporting one another, the Zaar can overcome any obstacle that comes their way and create a better future. Accordingly, the Zaar Movement is a call to action, inviting individuals to join the Zaar Traditional Council and Zaar Development Association (ZDA) and march towards a brighter tomorrow for the nation.”
Phillip Hayat John added that,”The vision to launch the Zaar Movement is an initiative for a reawakening recognised globally to foster resilience, solidarity, and collective progress among groups.”
“As a ZDA objective, the Zaar movement aims to unite Zaar people irrespective of political, religious, and professional affinities so that they can work together to overcome common challenges, promote social justice, and build a brighter future,” he added.
He stressed that,”The goal is that through community engagement, consultation, mentorship, and advocacy, the Zaar Movement will empower its people to share experiences, support one another, and drive positive change in the land.”
The Guest Speaker further stated that, “The Need for a Zaar Movement
In todays Nigeria, there are rising social and economic inequalities. There are increasing mental health concerns and isolation, environmental degradation and climate change, and regrettably, despite years of democratic rule, there are covert systemic injustices and human rights violations, especially against ethnic groups in the margin.”
He added that,”Manifestly, only a united society can overcome the threatening challenges faced with resilience. In unity, society gathers strength, as individualism has shown to be detrimental, especially regarding collective progress. What value is it when only a few individuals in a whole society progress, leaving the majority in abject penury?”
“Therefore, the core principles of the Zaar Movement are solidarity, unity in diversity, empowerment, uplifting and supporting each other, resilience, facing challenges with courage and determination, inclusivity, welcoming all, regardless of background or circumstance, and collective progress: striving for a positive prospect together,” he added.
According to him,”The Objectives of the Zaar Movement is that, as no one is an island, the call for a return to the Zaar movement follows the path that Zaar forebears walked to remain united. The movement is to provide a platform for sharing experiences and challenges, offer support, resources, and mentorship, foster collaboration and community engagement, advocate for policies that promote social justice and equality, and celebrate the successes and resilience of the nation.”
He stated that,”ZDAs strategies for achieving the Zaar Movement require increased community events and rallies, mentorship programmes where professionals and successful sons and daughters are called to mentor the young ones and intensified healthy social media campaigns to promote the customs and values of Zaar society.”
“Other strategies include partnerships with NGOs and community organisations for developmental projects in Zaar land and steadfast advocacy calling for policy reforms by the government and all its agencies targeting a people-oriented development for the people of Zaar and sundry,” he added.
On implementation, he said that the ZDA shall continue to establish a global network of its chapters, develop online platforms for resource sharing and connectivity, organise annual Zaar marches and rallies, events as the Lem Zaar, and collaborate with influencers and thought leaders, local government, Bauchi State, and Zaar traditional council and continue to monitor progress and adapt strategies for aimed at meeting the imperative needs of the people.
Speaking on Zaar History Book and Zaar Movement, he disclosed that, “On 1st November 2024, the nation witnessed the launch of a book entitled History of the Zaar People of Nigeria: A People Renown, Rediscovering Themselves (John, 2024), which comes at a time Nigeria as a nation, and Zaar in particular, continue to face numerous challenges, ranging from insecurity, abject poverty, caused by years of lack of equitable leadership.”
He explained that,”The book’s core message is that true freedom will come to Zaar, not from complaints and bickering but decisive action aligning itself with ZDA’s call for a renaissance, reminding the people of how strong-willed the Zaar ethnic groups have been, having survived marginalisation for years yet resolved to remain accommodating, peace-loving, and firm in the pursuit of social justice and equity.”
According to him,”The Zaar land, as ever before, continues to face contestation of proprietorship even though the evidence of who the indigenous people are remains evident. Accordingly, the book discusses some critical problems affecting the Zaar, opening with the need to address the concerns about Who the Zaar are.”
He added that,”Where they come from, What is their sociopolitical organisation? and the tenacity of the existence of the people, especially the need to transfer the knowledge of the past to the present and, mainly, to generations unborn.”
He stressed that, “The significance of the History of the Zaar People of Nigeria: A People Renown, Rediscovering Themselves (2024) is deeply rooted in the Zaar peoples profound chase to understand themselves from an insiders viewpoint and, in the modern age where oral tradition is fading, to have a document which informs society about the Zaar; even if it, the book does not answer all the questions that one may ask.”
“A book of Twelve (12) chapters covers the most salient issues touching the unity of the Zaar. It delivers an all-embracing study of who the Zaar are, their possible migratory origins, their neighbours, their struggles and successes, the language and the need to write it to raise its status from a spoken to a written language, and the determination of the people for a chieftaincy which reflects their identity, as demonstrated by the selection of Gung Zaar and establishing a Zaar traditional council in line with ancient order of Zaar ancestors,” he added.
“On this auspicious occasion, please accept my compliments and goodwill on Lem Zaar (Zaar Cultural Day) 2024 for epitomising Zaar culture, language, heritage and custom. As a friend of Zaar, I am highly honoured to have been invited as a guest speaker for the second time,” he added.
He added that,”I do not take such a trust for granted. Having witnessed the Zaar peoples tenacity, I applaud your commitment to celebrating your heritage and presenting the exclusive Zaar identity.”
Philip Hayat John concluded that, “I wish to close by paraphrasing a famous quote stating that the Zaar nation stands firm in unity, but when divided, the Zaar nation will fall. May the Lord grant you unity.”
