What is happening in Kano should be of concern to not only the Kanawa or Northerners but to all Nigerians. Kano, as we all know, is the heartbeat of the North. If Kano is economically buoyant, it cascades down to the rest of the North and reflects on the nation’s GDP.
Conversely, any chaos or breach in security will affect other parts of the North, thereby stretching the capacity of our security agencies with all the attendant consequences.
This is why the ongoing ”Game of Thrones” in the ancient city of Kano should concern every Nigerian.
There were some misgivings in some quarters when Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, popularly called SLS – fresh from a controversial sacking from the office of the governor of Nigeria’s Central Bank by then President Goodluck Jonathan – was made the Emir of Kano, against all odds, by Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso on 8th June 2014, in a move that lends credence to the saying that there is no permanent friend or enemy in politics but permanent interests.
In Kwankwaso’s first tenure as governor, he and SLS, then with the First Bank, were more like “enemies”, which made the government of Kano State close its account with the bank as its request for Sanusi’s sack was not acceded to.
Yet there were misgivings too when, again against all odds, he was dethroned by former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje on 9th March 2020. To get at him, Ganduje “shattered” the revered Kano Emirate into five pieces.
Now there are more misgivings after the current governor of Kano State, Abba Yusuf, himself a Prince, dethroned the five Emirs created by Ganduje and reinstated SLS and returned the emirate to its former status.
The issue, ordinarily a state affair within the governor’s authority, is threatening to escalate and burst onto the national landscape. That is, if it has not already, what with the National Security Adviser (NSA) weighing in.
The thing is, the princes’ insatiable greed for power, influence, relevance and wealth has made them rush open-eyed into the crossfires of ambitious and unscrupulous politicians who keep no captives. To quote from ‘Macbeth’, the Kano princes have “murdered sleep and so shall sleep no more.”
However, the most pitiable here is the common man who whatever is happening in Kano will neither put garri on his table nor solve any of his mammoth and growing problems. It is the common man who would be used as a foot soldier to disrupt the peace of the community.
Hassan Gimba is the publisher and editor-in-chief of Neptune Prime.
HRH Yahaya Abubakar CFR
It was tales beyond narration when Nigerians and foreigners stood- still in solidarity, show of love, loyalty and appreciation to His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr) Yahaya Abubakar CFR at the grand finale of his 20th coronation anniversary held at Wadata Palace, in the ancient town of Bida, Niger State.
Apart from being the Chairman of the Niger State Traditional Rulers Council, Etsu Yahaya Abubakar is also the chairman, Coordinating Committee National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, (NCTRN) with its headquarters in Abuja.
The event was crowned with the installation of the first daughter of the nation and Iyaloja-General of Lagos State, Dr. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo as the Yar-Jarin Nupe and the Dr. Abubakar Abdullahi Kuso as the Dan Wadatan Nupe for their unflinching contributions to the development of Bida Emirate COuncil and humanity in general.
A retired Army General, Etsu Yahaya Abubakar was born 71 years ago (12 September 1952) into the Umaru Zaki royal dynasty by Alhaji Abubakar Saganuwa, the late Nakordi Nupe and Hajiya Habiba Bantigi Ndayako.
While his late father was the brother to the 11th Etsu Nupe Late Malam Musa Bello, his late mother was the daughter of the 9th Etsu Nupe, Muhammadu Kudu Ndayako and Sister to late Alhaji Umaru Sanda Ndayako, the the 12th Etsu Nupe.
The monarch attended Government College, Sokoto and later Commercial College, Kano from 1967 to1971 and later proceeded to the Nigerian Defence Academy, (NDA) Kaduna from1973 to1975 in preparation for joining the Nigerian Army.
Throughout his sojourn as Army Officers, he exhibited high level of excellence, discipline and dedication to the unity of Nigeria with last posting at the Defense Headquarters Abuja, as the Director of Foreign Operations, before retiring as a Brigadier General in September 2003.
At the grand finale of the event marking his 71st birthday and 20th coronation anniversary, on Saturday 16th September 2023, Etsu Yahaya Abubakar was so elated as dignitaries from across Nigeria and beyond stormed the ancient town of Bida to pay the honour and celebrate with the great philanthropist and lover of the downtrodden.
Former Heads of State, General Ibrahim Babangida (rdt) was represented by the former Niger State Governor, Dr. Aliyu Babangida Mu’azu (Talban Minna), Gen. Abdulsalami Alhaji Abubakar (rtd), Governor Abdullahi Bago, Minister for Agriculture, Alhaji Mohammed Mahmood Abubakar, Group Managing Director/CEO of KAM Holding, Dr. Kamoru Yusuf MON, members of the National Assembly, leadership of the Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU) Ile-Ife, Members of the Niger State House of Assembly, members of the state executive council, industrialists from within and outside the country, groups, and associations among others.
Among traditional rulers resent at the was the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III CFR, the Emir of Kano (Magajin Ado) Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero CFR, Emir of Lafia Bari-Bari, Justice Sidi Bage Muhammed I CFR, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi CFR, Ona of Abaji and Chairman FCT Council of Chiefs Alhaji Baba Yunusa CON, Oluwo of Iwoland, Emir Azara, Emir of Awe, Emir of Kazaure, Emir of Borgu, Emir of Minna, Emir of Kagara, Sarkin Sudan Kotangora, Emir of Lafiagi, Emir of Shonga, Etsu Tsaragi, Etsu Agaei, Etsu Lapai, Olofa of Offa, Afaji of Faaji, Owalobbo of Obno-Ile, Andoma of Doma, Representative of Oba of Benin, Representative of Emir of Gombe, Representative of Etsu Patigi, Representative of Etsu Bassange, Representative of Obi of Onisha, just to mention a few.
While felicitating with the first class traditional ruler, President Bola Ahmed described him as a consummate statesman and a most respected national leader.
The president said “I join a multitude of Nigerians, family members and friends in celebrating His Royal Highness, the Etsu Nupe. This is a remarkable moment which calls for thanksgiving in the celebration of a purposeful life that has been well lived.
“Throughout his decorated career as a military official and upon his ascension to the revered throne of his forefathers two decades ago, the traditional ruler has remained steadfast in his service to Nigeria and his people.”
Tinubu therefore prayed for more fulfilling years for the traditional ruler and urged him to rededicate himself in his effort to improve society.
Similarly, the Emir of Ilorin and chairman, Kwara State Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, expressed joy over the 71st birthday anniversary of the highly respected monarch who has served as a diligent army officer before his enthronement as the Chief Custodian of the tradition and culture of the people of Bida Emirate Council and beyond.
The Emir’s congratulatory message was contained in a statement signed by his spokesman, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona, saying: “Etsu Yahaya Abubakar, a world class traditional ruler has by all indications demonstrated his commitments to the unity and peaceful co-existence amongst the people of the country.
“The Etsu Nupe is a great philanthropist, God-fearing and detribalize Nigerian with genuine passion for national cohesion” even he prayed to Almighty Allah to continue to grant the Etsu Nupe peaceful reign and appealed to the government and people of Niger state to continue to support their highly revered monarch with prayers at all times.
With the influx of dignitaries and empowerment of the less privileged at the 71st birthday and 20th coronation anniversary of Retired Brig. Gen. Alhaji (Dr.) Yahaya Abubakar CFR, the 13th Etsu Nupe and Chairman Niger State Traditional Rulers Council, history will never forget what the monarch stands for as a bridge-builder and cheerful giver even as he pledged to continue to fight hard towards making the poor smile.
Facts have emerged on the reasons why the Emir of Kano, His Highness Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero CFR, was absent at the official commissioning of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemical launched by President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday in Lagos.
ROYAL NEWS reports that the multi-billion Naira project is owned by the Kano-born Africa’s Richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and invitation for the commissioning was extended to important personalities within the public and private sectors both from within and outside Nigeria, being the first privately owned refinery in the country and the biggest in Africa.
At the event, the Emir of Kano was not sighted owing to some alleged inappropriate courtesies missing in the invitation protocols by the organisers to the highly respected traditional ruler, rather, the monarch chose to attend the Presidential fleet Review 2023 held in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Sources confirmed to this medium that no invitation letter was sent to the monarch that will warrant and necessitate him to be present at the event while just only one ACCESS CARD was provided for him, should incase he wants to attend the historic event despite his status.
The source further confirmed to our correspondent that the monarch was aware that the deposed Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II was present at the event and such appearance may brew up crises between the duo of Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and his predecessor.
“Despite the fact that Aliko Dangote is the richest man in Africa of Kano State origin, he failed to handle the affairs of the invitation of Emir of Kano with the utmost regards and courtesies required for such an historic gathering aimed at showcasing his landmark achievements and economic contiributions to the nation, Africa continent and the entire global community.
The Kano State Government will on Thursday May 25 launch a biography in honour of Maryam Ado Bayero, the mother of the Emir of Kano, HRH Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and Emir of Bichi, HRH Alhaji Nasir Ado Bayero.
According to the invitation sighted by ROYAL NEWS, the biography launch will hold at Congress Hall, Trancorp Hilton, Abuja at 10am, with President Muhammadu Buhari as a Special Guest of Honour.
Other prominent people to grace the event are the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari as Guest of Honour; Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’adu Abubakar as the Royal Father of The Day.
The book reviewer is Prof. Habu Muhammed , Director, Aminu Kano Centre for Democratic Research and Training, Kano.
HRH Aminu Ado BayeroSultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar is among the dignitaries at the ongoing Coronation Lecture in honour of His Royal Highness, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, as the 15th Emir of Kano, holding in Kano.
ROYAL NEWS reports that the lecture is title: KANO EMIRATE:YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW at the convocation square of the new site of Bayero University, Kano.
It would be recalled that Alhaji Aminu Bayero was appointed and installed as the Emir of Kano following the dethronement of Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
Aminu younger brother, Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero was also appointed as the Emir of Bichi same day.
The funeral prayers and burial of late Hajia Maryam Ado Bayero, the mother of Emirs of Kano and Bichi is expected to hold tomorrow, Monday.
Hajia Maryam Ado Bayero, the wife of late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero and aunty to Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu Gambari died at a Cairo hospital, Eygpt on Saturday.
A statement issued by Kano Emirate Council and signed by Madakin Kano, Alhaji Yusuf Ibrahim Chigari said the corpse of the late princesses from the Ilorin Emirate would arrive in Kano around 7.00 pm today, Sunday.
‘’The funeral prayers would hold by 11.00 am at Kofar Kudu at the Emir of Kano palace, ‘’said the statement.
