Dozens of students in Athens County had a chance to meet one of the Africa's indigenous leaders and learn about one of the most enduring forms of leadership on the continent when their schools played host to His Royal Highness A. Bashir Albishir Bukar, emir of Machina in Nigeria's Yobe State, yesterday.
Emir Bukar taught the Students of Federal Hocking High School and East Elementary about Africa's triple heritage as presented in African traditional culture, Western culture and Islam. Bukar, who is the traditional leader of 120,000 residents of Machina, a Muslim and a holder of a master's degree in public administration, spoke of how the three heritages have always come together to complement his leadership.
Today Bukar will give the keynote address at Ohio University's African Leadership Day, organized by the African studies department, African Students Union and Africa Future Leaders Forum. The speech will be at 3 p.m. in Bentley 124 after a daylong workshop in Bentley 233.
This is my first visit to the United States and to the Western world in general
Bukar said. This visit has served to correct the impression many people have about Americans as rough and uncaring of others. Now I see otherwise. People have been very kind to me here.
Yesterday after Bukar met a history class in Bentley Hall, he visited Athens Mayor Ric Abel's office. The two compared their constituencies and exchanged ideas about local government administration, said Steve Howard, Ohio University's director of African studies.
I have learned a lot from the questions and comments I have been receiving from the students and the people I have interacted with. There is a lot to take back home Bukar said.
At Federal Hocking, Bukar, the 77th emir of Machina, told of his people's way of life in the Yobe State, one of 36 states in Nigeria. He spoke about their aspirations and challenges, and of the federal system of government in Nigeria, which still recognizes and uses indigenous leadership in managing the affairs of the Nigerians.
The students of Federal Hocking had an opportunity to learn and discount many of the myths about the African continent.
I thought that all of Africa had AIDS
but he presented a very different picture from what we see on TV
Federal Hocking student Steve Marsh said.
Faculty at Federal Hocking said Bukar was an important resource for the students.
It is very pleasing to allow students to learn about other cultures and appreciate differences in the world
said Brad Kasler, a history teacher at Federal Hocking, who is currently offering a course in world events.
Howard said OU sees the visit as an opportunity to share its resources with the people of Athens and the neighboring counties.
People here do not have much exposure to the rest of the world
Howard said. We are called to share the resources we have with the students of the area.
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Ernest Waititu
