Samia: Reject divisive attempts

RUVUMA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has called on Tanzanians to resist attempts to divide them based on political or ideological differences, urging them to prioritise the nation’s collective interests.

“Let us reject all those who seek to divide us for political reasons or ideological differences. We are one people; Tanzania is one nation,” she emphasised.

The Head of State made the remarks during the closing ceremony of the third National Cultural Festival held at Majimaji Stadium in Songea, Ruvuma Region.

Dr Samia is on a six-day visit to Ruvuma Region to inspect development projects.

She said that one of the nation’s proudest attributes is its culture of good ethics, noting that Tanzanians are patriotic, honest, hardworking, environmentally conscious, peace-loving and family-oriented.

Reflecting on her visit to the Maji Maji War Museum earlier yesterday, President Samia expressed admiration for the courage, resilience and unity of Tanzanians.

“I was reminded of our history and how we stood together to defend our rights and dignity. We must continue to uphold these values and prioritise the nation’s interests over personal gains,” she stated.

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At the museum, President Samia laid a wreath at the mass grave of 66 heroes who fought in the historic Maji Maji War and honoured Nduna Songea Mbano, who collaborated with these heroes in the battle against German colonisers.

Nduna Songea Mbano was captured and sentenced to death, later shot and buried beneath a Chikunguti tree. The Germans exhumed his body, decapitated it and took his head to Germany.

The president signed the visitor’s book at the memorial hall dedicated to the Maji Maji War (1905-1907) and listened to various historical accounts, including details about the weapons used and the story of Kinjeketile Ngwale.

Additionally, President Samia engaged in a game of bao with the Minister for Arts, Culture and Sports, Dr Damas Ndumbaro, and toured exhibitions showcasing the work of artists and cultural stakeholders.

She urged the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Sports, in collaboration with various institutions, to address the issue of moral decay in the country.

Noting the influence of foreign cultures and technological advancements, she stated, “We are beginning to witness a decline in moral values among our citizens, along with behaviours inconsistent with Tanzanian identity.”

Dr Samia called for concrete proposals on how to tackle this issue, emphasising the importance of family values. “The issue of moral decay starts at home. I encourage every Tanzanian to assess the values within their family,” she said.

She said that traditional leader, in partnership with religious institutions, must continue to play a crucial role in addressing moral decay within communities.

Upon arriving in Ruvuma, Dr Samia inspected the completed renovation and expansion of Songea Airport.

Minister for Works Innocent Bashungwa presented a report detailing the renovations, which included extending the runway from 1,625 metres to 1860 metres, construction of apron areas for aircraft parking, constructing taxiways, erecting a control tower, enhancing security and installing aircraft guidance lighting system and a fire tender.

The government allocated 40.87bn/- for these improvements.

Furthermore, Dr Samia stated that discussions about culture must involve the Kiswahili language, which opens economic opportunities for citizens.

She announced plans to establish 100 Kiswahili language centres worldwide in collaboration with the diaspora, urging Tanzanians abroad to take advantage of this opportunity.

“In addition to these efforts, stakeholders, including innovative youth on various social media platforms, also have the chance to promote the Kiswahili language while generating income,” she added.