By Mualeem Ibrahim
There are cities that exist on maps, and there are cities that live in the bloodstream of their people. Machina—ancient, resilient, and proud—belongs to the latter.
Nestled in the northwestern sands of Yobe State in northeast Nigeria, this Emirate has guarded its traditions with a devotion that spans more than a millennium. Its formal leadership structure, historians tell us, reaches back to 980 AD, when Mai Hariyu Bolo Kandira ascended the throne and began a lineage of custodianship that continues unbroken to this day.
Machina is not merely a place; it is a memory that breathes, a heritage that refuses to fade. In the words of Chinua Achebe, “A people are as strong as the stories they tell about themselves.” Machina’s story is one of endurance, dignity, and cultural splendour.
Seven Days When Time Stands Still
Each year, Machina calls its sons and daughters home—no matter where in the world they may be. For seven vibrant days, the city transforms into a living tapestry of colour, rhythm, and ancestral pride.
The Machina Annual Cultural Festival (MACUF) is more than a celebration; it is a pilgrimage of identity. It draws dignitaries, scholars, traditional rulers, journalists, activists, and admirers from across Nigeria and beyond.
Like the festivals described in Soyinka’s Death and the King’s Horseman, MACUF is a reminder that culture is not a relic—it is a living, breathing force that binds generations.
But the 2026 edition was unlike any before it.
A Festival Crowned by Honour
This year, the desert winds carried a special anticipation. Machina was preparing to honour one of its most distinguished sons—Dr. Kole Ahmed Shettima.
The city swelled with visitors: activists, civil society leaders, academics, politicians, and cultural custodians all converged to witness a moment that would be etched into the Emirate’s history.
On January 31, under the watchful eyes of ancestors and the joyous gaze of his people, the Emir of Machina, His Royal Majesty Mai Bashir Abishir Bukar, OON, L’ONN, turbaned Dr. Kole as Zanna Yuroma. It was the crown jewel of this year’s MACUF.
The Emir spoke with warmth and conviction. To him, this honour was not merely a recognition of Dr. Kole’s contributions to Machina, but a tribute to a man whose compassion and service radiate far beyond the borders of his birthplace. His love for humanity, the Emir said, is as expansive as the Sahel sky.
And on Sunday, February 1, the festival’s grand finale, Machina seemed to swell beyond its borders. It felt as though the entire cabinet of Yobe State had relocated to the Emirate.
The Executive Governor, His Excellency Hon. (Dr.) Mai Mala Buni, the SSG, former governors, and over 40 Emirs from across northern Nigeria graced the occasion. Security agencies worked tirelessly to manage the sea of people—each person eager for a glimpse of the moment.
One striking lesson stood out: though Machina is an Islamic city, it does not silence its women. Clad in radiant traditional attire, they danced, perfumed the air with sweet scents, and infused the celebration with a joy that echoed Leopold Senghor’s ode to African womanhood—“Naked woman, black woman… your beauty strikes me to the heart.”
A Life of Service, A Legacy of Impact
For more than three decades, Dr. Kole Ahmed Shettima has walked the corridors of academia and development work with purpose and integrity. His leadership has shaped institutions, strengthened governance, and touched countless lives.
His contributions to humanity are stories—stories of transformed futures, empowered communities, and strengthened institutions. As Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o reminds us, “Writers and scholars are the memory of a nation.” Dr. Kole has helped preserve and expand that memory.
Machina Rejoices
When the turban was tied and the title bestowed, Machina erupted in celebration. The joy was palpable—men, women, elders, youth, and children filled the streets with pride. It was as though the entire Emirate rose as one to embrace their son.
Drums thundered.
The Kakaki trumpet pierced the air with regal splendour.
Dancers swirled in vibrant attires.
Wrestlers displayed strength and honour.
Snake charmers mesmerized the crowd.
Music flowed like a river through the city.
It was a scene reminiscent of the grand festivals in Achebe’s Arrow of God—a community united in spirit, rhythm, and purpose.
Machina did not merely celebrate a title; it celebrated a legacy.
A Tribute to a Worthy Son
In honouring Dr. Kole Ahmed Shettima, Machina honoured the values it holds dear—service, humility, scholarship, and humanity. The title of Zana Yoruma is not just a recognition; it is a covenant between a son and his homeland.
And so, with pride and admiration, we join millions across Nigeria in celebrating High Chief Dr. Kole Ahmed Shettima. May his reign as Zana Yoruma bring continued wisdom, compassion, and progress to Machina and beyond.
Long may he serve.
Long may Machina flourish.