As Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar, is 15 on throne

*Profile of a soldier turned Emir

The Etsu Nupe, His Royal Highness Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, on Tuesday September 11, 2018 closed 15 years on his ancestral throne.

The monarch, who sits on throne in Wadata Palace, the seat of power and royalty of the Northern Emirate, is reportedly ago as well wishers including the Governor of Niger State and title holders throng from far and near since Tuesday to pay homage as the weeklong event began.

Etsu Abubakar is also the Chairman of Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers.

On September 11th, 2003, Yahaya Abubakar was appointed the 13th Etsu Nupe when he succeeded the late Etsu Nupe, Umar Sanda Ndayako who had passed away four days earlier, (8th September, 2003)

Praises, accolades and messages of felicitations have been pouring in from individuals, groups and associations including cooperate bodies and institutions to the Wadata Palace for the royal father.

Niger State governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, has in a message of felicitation, applauded the Etsu Nupe and described him as a father, leader and bridge builder whose immense contributions to unity, peace and development of Nigeria and Niger state in particular were immeasurable.

In a congratulatory message to the monarch, governor Sani Bello said the fifteen years reign of Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar as Etsu Nupe have been very rewarding with full with overwhelming successes that have brought rapid transformation to Nupe kingdom.

He said the traditional ruler who is respected and adored by all, has through his wide spread and reach out, been able to bring hope and instill nationalism, sense of pride and understanding amongst the people as well as promote the cultural values of the Nupe speaking extraction in Nigeria.

Governor Sani Bello listed as noteworthy the Etsu Nupe’s love for the education of his subjects, particularly for the girl child, the development of Nupe language and culture and his strong stance for the growth of the Nupe stoke.

“The Etsu’s reign has brought unity and peaceful coexistence and has greatly promoted the rich cultural heritage of the people. He has been able to sustain and enhanced the status of the throne and wields influence that transcends the country’s borders” governor Sani Bello added.

And while paying glowing tributes to the royal father, the governor said “we are proud to celebrate this strategic leader and statesman whose positive attitudes, strong will, discipline, self confidence and ability to manage people, has been significant factors towards the progress and development of the state and the country in general”.

While acknowledging the role of traditional rulers and religious leaders in nation building, governor Sani Bello stressed the need for government to support them by creating the right platforms for them to function effectively as crucial key players in nation building.

Governor Sani Bello prayed for longevity of life, good health and strength to the Etsu Nupe. “May God grant you many more fruitful years ahead in good health and wisdom to continue with the remarkable service to humanity through your wise counsel and advise to the people and governments” the statement added.

Profile of a soldier turned Emir

Alhaji (Dr) Yahaya Abubakar, a retired General of the Nigerian Army and Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR), was born on 12 September 1952 at Bida in Niger State and hails from one of the ruling houses of Bida Emirate (Usman Zaki).

He was born to the family of Late Alhaji Abubakar Saganuwa Nakordi Nupe/brother to the 11th Etsu Nupe Late Malam Musa Bello and his mother Late Hajiya Habiba Bantigi Ndayako daughter of the 9th Etsu Nupe and Sister to late Alhaji Umaru Mohsna Sanda Ndayako the 12th Etsu Nupe of Nupe Kingdom.

He attended Government College, Sokoto and later Commercial College, Kano (1967–1971), then enrolled in to the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna (1973–1975) in preparation for joining the Nigerian Army.

Before his appointment as the Etsu Nupe he was the Kusodu Nupe, last military posting was to the Defence Headquarters Abuja, where he was a Director of Foreign Operations, before retiring as a Brigadier General in September 2003.

Yahaya Abubakar Kusodu Nupe was appointed the 13th Etsu Nupe on 11 September 2003, the ruler of all the Nupe speaking people in the world (Etsu Nupe: The King of Nupe) in succession to his late uncle Alhaji Umar Sanda Ndayako. By virtue of this title he is the Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers.

The Emir chair the committee pushing for the creation of Edu State with headquarters at Bida out of the present Niger, kogi and Kwara states to form a homeland for the Nupe people.^[3] Other promoters for the creation of Edu State are Etsu Lapai, Etsu Agaie, Etsu Lafiyagi, Etsu Tsaragi, Etsu Patigi, Etsu Tsonga, prominent Nupe elder statesmen across the nation and abroad.

Following a scandal when it was found that a Nupe man, Alhaji Muhammadu Bello Masaba, had married 86 wives, the Etsu Nupe set up a five-member committee of Islamic scholars to handle the issue. In September 2008 it was reported that Masaba has agreed to divorce all but four of the wives.