By Yahuza A. Muhammad
Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, on Monday received the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolopolo, Oba Ewuare II, who paid him a courtesy visit at his Palace.
The Kogunan Sakwatto, Mallam Danladi bako (r) with a cross section of Edo Chiefs on the entourage of the Oba of Benin during a courtesy visit.
On ground with the Sultan joining him in receiving the monarch of the nation’s most cultural conscious dynasty were the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Ilyasu, former Director-General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mallam Danladi Bako, among others.
Oba Ewuare II is noticeably one of Nigerian monarchs who find natural love in the Nigeria’s most travelled advocate of peace, unity and development that the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III is.
The love has grown so much that exchanges of compliment have happened between the two monarchs from the sending of over a thousand horses and troupes by Sultan to perform Durbar at the installation of the Benin monarch a year ago with a follow up of same during his first year coronation anniversary recently to the Omo N’Oba N’Edo’s reciprocating contingent that have also been sent to Sokoto to perform at the last Sallah celebration with the retired General who became Sultan and Sarikin Musulumi of Nigeria on November 2, 2006.
Oba Ewuare II informed his host, Sultan, that he was in Sokoto to pay him a “thank you visit”.
Responding, the Sultan, who only ten days ago paid a visit to the non-urban Nigerian community of Aiyede Ekiti in his effort to carry everybody and community along towards a better, peaceful nation, told his visitor, Oba Ewuare that the role of traditional rulers in ensuring peaceful co-existence among Nigerians, unity and nation building could not be overemphasized, even as he pointed out that “traditional rulers being closer to their people have to embark on sensitization and enlightenment programme on the importance of peace and harmony among their people.”
A cross section members of Sultanate Council, who joined the Sultan to receive the Oba of Benin-in-Council, during the visit.
This form of enlightenment programme among respective subjects of monarchs in the country was described by the Sultan as a tool for development in any society.
Sultan Abubakar noted that Nigerian citizens are peace loving people and therefore urged all monarchs to give the right guidance so as to prevent them from used by unscrupulous elements to cause chaos and destabilize the society.
The Sultan further stated that the histories of the Sokoto Caliphate and that of Benin Kingdom have been in existence for many years since the 1st Jihad of Usmanu DanFodiyo.
He also described the relationship between the two Kingdoms as cordial and urged the people in these areas to always emulate the good examples being laid down by the leaders.
