COVID-19: Ganye Chiefdom Shuts Down Border Cattle Markets To Prevent Community Spread

By Ibrahim Abdul

In a bid to prevent community spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic, Ganye chiefdom in the southern part of Adamawa State has shut down Nigeria’s popular Ganye International cattle market, and other markets in the border towns with Cameroon.

While speaking on the challenges of marking his 20th anniversary on the throne during this coronavirus pandemic, the paramount ruler of the chiefdom, Dr. Umaru Adamu Sanda,  said: “We have engaged all our communities on the compliance to all the rules guiding individuals and communities with respect to the coronavirus.

“Following the Executive Order by the governor of Adamawa State closing all cattle markets in the state, my chiefdom did not only comply with it, but we have taken a step further because I have ordered the temporary shutdown of all markets in our borders with Cameroon in order to prevent the community transfer of the disease from Cameroon into the state.

‘’Some parts of Cameroon which we shared borders are hit by this deadly contagious disease.

“Ganye market is attractive to people…especially [from] places worst hit by the virus like Kano. We also do all we can to prevent them from coming in,” the monarch said.

On his 20 years in office, the Gangwari  said, “I am most proud especially of the mammoth unprecedented crowd that thronged my coronation as the monarch of this chiefdom.

“Since my installation as the monarch of the Ganye Chiefdom, this community has been the most peaceful compared to other parts of the country.

“We have not witnessed any religious, ethnic, or geographical conflicts, even if does happen, it is usually settled within the local community.”

The first-class monarch also prevailed  on the  government to  address the challenges of unemployment, saying: “Or communities cannot make progress without education and if we encourage our people to be educated and then there is no employment or some form of economic activities, then there is bound to be some deviation.”

He explained that his time in office has seen some members of his chiefdom attain some important national offices, including the former vice president of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar and the former National Chairman of the PDP, Bamanga Tukur,’’ ‘’ Under my reign, the Chiefdom produced Nigeria’s vice president Atiku Abubakar, former PDP National Chairman Alh.Bamanga Tukur, Deputy Governor, Senator, 15 Professors and other technocrats, business moguls, prominent politicians, activists, and other personalities.’’