By Mu’azu Abubakar Albarkawa, Kaduna
Zazzau Emir’s Palace is under going modern transformation with befitting structural edifices to upgrade the old and faded historical and traditional heritage of the Emirate.
The Infrastructural project embarked upon by the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Mallam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli in and outside the ancient palace was a bold step towards given it a modern outlook without necessarily tempering with the original edifice.
The Barayan Sarki,Alhaji Shehu Ahmed who went round with a team of journalists to the projects site said the gesture was embarked upon solely by His Royal Highness to compliment the intention of the Kaduna state government who has earmarked some development projects to be executed in the palace soon.
“Every single project you see here, every artistic design, is solely financed and sponsored by His Royal Highness, the Emir.
“And he is doing it out of his love and passion to the ancesstoral legacy left behind by his forefathers.
“Every single penny spent here is from his pocket.” Baraya stressed.
The Journalists were however taken to a modernized Emir’s garden polished with solar lights, green grasses and comforting sitting points.
Similarly, the Journalists were exposed to the upgraded horse stable that houses more than 15 Emir’s horses at atimes.And the historic Zauren Gamagira known as the Takon Giwa which was beutified with modern traditional regalia to suit the modern time
Other projects being executed at the palace includes the proposed clinic for occupants of the populous palace,newly provided office accommodation for Senior council members,,modern visitors waiting room,Guest Chalets for VIPs, Fencing of palace cementary, Provision of ATM machine and construction of Borehole.
Baraya added that outside the palace, the Emir has attracted his friends and associates who have embarked on the construction of 4 palace gates, Provision of sitting places for easy viewing of traditional events in the palace and expansion of parking spaces for vehicles among other things.
After going round the projects sites, the team met the Emir,Amb Mallam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli who initially declined to comment on the projects, saying that “i feel it’s too early to start to comment on works that have not been completed yet.
“However since you insisted let me say that my reasons for doing what I am doing are two.
“One I recalled when the late Sultan Dasuki took over as the Sultan of Sokoto, he met the in virtually a vandalized state to the extent that you could see inside the house from outside.And he started refurbishing it to standard.His main reason was that even if he was no longer there it’s the family members, the same clan that will occupy the palace.”
Amb Bamalli further said “He want to emulate his friend, the former Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sunusi, the second for transforming Kano palace to a befitting status.”
Emir Bamalli also disclosed the intention of Kaduna state government towards executing some infrastructural projects at the palace, assuring that work will commence soonest.
He explained that the action was all aimed at upgrading historical, cultural and traditional infrastructure with touches of modesty for modern time.
