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| Dr Betta Edu(middle) in company with leaders in the Hausa community in Calabar |
Nyok|16 June 2018
Dr Betta Edu, the pioneer DG of Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), has been profoundly frowned at for inventing the phrase, ‘Emir of Calabar’ NegroidHaven can report authoritatively.
Yesterday, as part of her celebration of Eid-el-Fitr with the Muslim Ummah in Calabar, Cross River, Dr Edu said the Executive Governor of Cross River state, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade felicitates with the anonymous Emir as a way of marking Eid Mubarak.
Her words, ‘Ayade felicitates with Emir of Calabar; provides free health outreach and shares food to Hausa community to mark Eid Mubarak!’
‘The Hausa Community is solidly behind Ayade, he is the first Cross River State Governor to give appointment to people from the Hausa Community. He provides security and takes care of our health. Other Governors in Nigeria should emulate Sen. Ayade’s inclusive governance and rapid development!’, Edu continued.
A cross section of Cross Riverians including publisher/editor-in-chief of online news website, Mr Agba Jalingo, has queried Dr Edu over the comment. What follows is their reaction:
Francis Adie Ushie
Dr Betta Edu, Did you say “Emir of calabar?”
Minmbala Ekpe
Emir of Calabar?
Solomon Etim
Dr Betta Edu please note that Calabar is not an emirate consequently it cannot have an emir. What l know we call him is Saraki of Hausa community. Please don’t make such unforgetful mistake again.
Regina Mgbekem
What is the meaning this? Emir, in Calabar! Hope our people are safe because I trust this people call Fulani, we are peaceful state oh. Pls tell them.
Bude Tony Chidiebere
This unbelievable, Emir of Calabar. Na small dey will take over Calabar, it have already started in Nasarrawa Calabar
Etim Hogan
Betta Edu please there is nothing like emir of calabar, we only have Obong of Calabar and Obong of Calabar is Obong of Calabar everywhere, please Watch it before the gods will be angry. Kprok
Eborty Ayo
Emir of where? Please we have Obong not Emir
Jalingo proceeded to educate the evidently ignorant or impulsive Governor’s aide thus: ‘Dr. Betta Edu, I thought the appropriate title for the heads of these groups is Eze of this town or Sarki of that town. Or has the government of Cross River state officially upgraded them to Emirs?
An Emir, if I am right is an aristocratic or noble and military title of high office. It means Commander Or King. Who is an Emir of Calabar if I may ask? This Emir of Calabar was turbanned by who?
Are documents available in the Department of Chieftaincy Affairs to the effect of this title in this your statement which I consider official? Thank you ma, for your anticipated response(s).’
However, one Miss Halimatu Usman whose paternity is Kogi and maternity is Cross River has risen to the assistance of the erring DG, Edu. She admitted Dr Edu didn’t employ the appropriate phrase, but, however used what people easily understand. According to her, ‘Betta isn’t Islam but she dressed to be addressed properly. Even if she didn’t use the right word to describe the Hausa-Moslem community leader, at least she used the phrase readers could easily understand’.
BLOGGERTORIAL
I beg to differ with Miss Usman above, we understand the title, ‘Saraki’, and do also understand the title ‘Emir’. I doubt Usman does. If she does, she’ll be in tune with Jalingo.
Edu’s use of the phrase, ‘Emir of Calabar’ is absolutely condemnable by all standards. If she insists, she’d respond to the observation made by Jalingo.
Sincerely, Edu is too educated for this, at least, if not for anything, she should understand the security implications of inventing such as phrase especially now. I demand that she withdraws that statement or explain what she means. Haba!
Nyok
Is the Blogger-in-Chief, Editor-in-Chief & Publisher of NegroidHaven
