By OUR REPORTER, Sokoto
In his royal policy of appreciating good work by way of encouragement to show that commitment and full dedication to service of the nation pay, the Sultan of Sokoto Caliphate, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, at the weekend honoured a son of the soil, who until recently had served as Chief of Army Staff of Nigeria, Lieutenant General Farouk Yahaya (Rtd), with the title of Zarumman Sakkwato.
Yahaya, who hails from Sifawa town in Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto State, was said to have merited his new title of the very important kingdom in Africa because of his unputdownable commitment to security and defence of Nigeria during his days in the service.
Delivering his speech at a grand reception by the state government in honour of the former COAS, the Sultan – in what looked like a surprise package – directed the immediate turbanning of the former Army Chief as Zarumman Sakkwato at the Giginya Stadium, Sokoto venue of the event.
At the event attended by countless creme de la creme of the society, Sultan Abubakar said Sokoto State-born General Yahaya had demonstrated commitment, loyalty, resilience and convincing sense of responsibility in the military while stee4ing the affairs of the Army in the country.
He noted the courage and tenacity with which the fine officer pushed all-through in the fight against Boko Haram as well general security challenges particularly in the North and other parts of Nigeria.
”I knew Farouk since as a young military officer and since he was growing from strength to strength as a result of his loyalty, hard work and dedication to duties and doctoring of the military profession with true sense of purpose.
”In the light of this and other personal soft skills and traits he demonstrated while in service, I hereby confer on General Farouk Yahaya the traditional title of Zarumman Sakkwato, a title only bestowed on illustrious sons and daughters of the state who distin guished themselves as warriors in the military profession and other endeavours within and outside the state”, the multifaced leader, who is also President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
The Sultan, who is also the co-President World Religions for Peace, said that the Sultanate Council would continue to recognise loyalty, hard work and commitment to assigned responsibility among sons and daughters of the state with a view to rewarding them for others to see and be inspired to emulate.
Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar further disclosed that “we will continue to celebrate you and your achievements as a distinguished military officer and someone who have excellently done so much to the communities, the state and nation at large.”
