Step-by-step account of event as Sultan’s 20th Coronation Anniversary is marked in Sokoto

MAIN POINTS:

*Sultan is pillar of United Nigeria – Emir of Nasarawa

*Why we thought it fit to publish Book of Tributes, free prisoners in honour of our principal at 20th Coronation Anniversary – Sultan Forum

*Lawal Maidoki breaks into tears over passed contributors to planning of event

*Sultan is a beacon of unity and stability, says Zamfara Governor Lawal

*Commends monarch for strengthening traditional institutions, promoting peace

*Urges Nigerians to embrace justice, education, moral discipline and responsible leadership

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

The ancient city of Sokoto came alive with a weeklong series of religious, intellectual, cultural and traditional activities as the 13th Sheikh Usmanu Dan Fodiyo Week coincided with the 20th Coronation Anniversary of the 20th Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, CFR, mni.

The celebration, which culminated in a grand finale on Monday, November 2, 2026, was designed to honour the enduring legacy of Sheikh Usmanu Dan Fodiyo, celebrate two decades of the Sultan’s leadership on the throne of the Sokoto Caliphate and reflect on the relevance of the values of the historic Islamic reform movement to contemporary Nigeria.

The weeklong programme featured a series of activities, including public lectures, quiz competitions, Qur’anic recitation competitions, intellectual symposiums and a traditional turbaning ceremony, before reaching its climax with the grand anniversary gathering at the International Conference Centre, Sokoto.

The grand finale attracted prominent traditional rulers, religious leaders, government officials, Islamic scholars, academics and other distinguished personalities from different parts of Nigeria and beyond.

A major highlight of the occasion was the delivery of the anniversary lecture by Dr Dauda Abdullah, who attended as the Special Guest Speaker.

The event was held under the theme: “Reviving Ethical Leadership and Social Harmony: Lessons From Sokoto Jihad Leaders.”

The theme provided an opportunity for participants to examine the principles of justice, moral discipline, education, accountability, religious tolerance and responsible leadership associated with Sheikh Usmanu Dan Fodiyo and the founding ideals of the Sokoto Caliphate.

Zamfara governor describes Sultan as beacon of unity

One of the major goodwill messages at the grand finale came from Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, who described the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, as a beacon of unity, stability and peaceful coexistence.

Lawal said the Sultan’s leadership, wisdom and consistent commitment to peace had continued to inspire Nigerians across religious, ethnic and geographical divides.

The governor made the commendation on Monday during the anniversary celebration at the International Conference Centre, Sokoto.

In his goodwill message, he praised the Sultan’s fatherly interventions and guidance, particularly at a time when Nigeria was confronted with serious security, economic and social challenges.

He observed that the Sultan’s influence extended beyond the traditional boundaries of the Sokoto Sultanate, noting that his contributions to national cohesion and peaceful coexistence had continued to inspire people in Zamfara State and other parts of the country.

According to Lawal, the Sultan has remained an important voice for unity and stability, demonstrating through his leadership that traditional institutions have critical responsibilities in addressing challenges confronting Nigeria.

Lawal commends Sultan over Zamfara traditional institutions

The governor also commended the Sultan for his support for the recent coronation and presentation of staff of office to 19 emirs in Zamfara State.

He described the development as a demonstration of the Sultan’s commitment to strengthening traditional institutions and preserving the cultural heritage of the people.

Lawal noted that traditional rulers remained important stakeholders in promoting peace, security and grassroots development.

He stressed that their closeness to the people and influence within their respective communities placed them in strategic positions to complement government efforts towards addressing insecurity and other societal challenges.

Governor urges leaders to embrace Dan Fodiyo’s principles

The Zamfara governor further urged Nigerians, particularly political, religious and traditional leaders, to draw inspiration from the teachings and exemplary leadership of Sheikh Usmanu Dan Fodiyo.

He identified justice, education, moral discipline and responsible leadership as fundamental values required to build a peaceful, prosperous and united society.

Lawal maintained that the principles championed by the revered Islamic scholar and reformer remained relevant to contemporary Nigeria, especially in tackling insecurity, poverty, social injustice and the growing vulnerability of young people.

He emphasised that ethical leadership and social responsibility were indispensable to national development, urging leaders at all levels to demonstrate integrity, fairness and genuine commitment to the welfare of the people.

The governor also underscored the importance of collective responsibility, observing that government alone could not achieve sustainable peace without the active cooperation of traditional institutions, religious organisations, community leaders and citizens.

Sultan appreciates supporters, calls for greater commitment to peace

Earlier, the Sultan expressed profound appreciation to individuals, institutions, religious organisations, traditional rulers and other well-wishers who had supported him throughout his 20 years on the throne of the Sokoto Caliphate.

He acknowledged the contributions and goodwill of those who had stood by him during his two decades of traditional leadership and urged Nigerians to sustain the spirit of cooperation, understanding and mutual respect.

The monarch also called on religious, traditional and community leaders to intensify their efforts towards promoting peace, unity and peaceful coexistence across the country.

He emphasised the importance of collective commitment to national stability, encouraging leaders to deploy their positions and influence towards strengthening relationships among Nigerians and discouraging tendencies capable of creating division.

Celebrating the legacy of Sheikh Usmanu Dan Fodiyo

Beyond the celebration of the Sultan’s 20 years on the throne, the 13th Sheikh Usmanu Dan Fodiyo Week provided an important platform for renewed reflection on the historical contributions of the founder of the Sokoto Caliphate.

Sheikh Usmanu Dan Fodiyo remains one of the most influential Islamic scholars and reformers in West African history, with a legacy associated with Islamic scholarship, education, social justice, ethical governance and the establishment of a political and religious system that shaped the history of northern Nigeria and neighbouring territories.

The choice of the anniversary theme therefore reinforced the importance of returning to the ethical foundations of leadership and social responsibility in addressing contemporary challenges.

For the Sultanate, the convergence of the annual Dan Fodiyo Week and the 20th Coronation Anniversary was also an opportunity to celebrate the continuity of the institution, its historical significance and its enduring responsibilities to the people.

Twenty years of traditional leadership

The 20th Coronation Anniversary represents two decades since Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III ascended the throne as the 20th Sultan of Sokoto.

Since his emergence, the Sultan has occupied an important position in Nigeria’s traditional and religious leadership landscape, particularly through his responsibilities as President-General of the NSCIA and his involvement in interfaith engagements and national dialogue.

His leadership has also placed the Sultanate at the centre of conversations about religious harmony, national unity, peaceful coexistence and the responsibilities of traditional institutions in a changing Nigerian society.

The anniversary celebration, therefore, went beyond the ceremonial recognition of years spent on the throne. It offered an opportunity to assess the relevance of the Sultanate’s historic responsibilities and the place of its founding ideals in contemporary national development.

With the conclusion of the weeklong activities on Monday, November 2, Sokoto once again became a meeting point for reflection on the legacy of Sheikh Usmanu Dan Fodiyo, the responsibilities of ethical leadership and the continuing relevance of traditional institutions in building a united, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.