Sultan of Sokoto solicits prayers for Nigeria, govts, as Buhari, Ganduje seek help at Emir of Bichi’s coronation
By KEMI KASUMU
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, at the coronation of Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero as the new Emir of Bichi Saturday 21 August, 2021, solicited support of traditional rulers to pray for Nigeria and assist the Federal Government as well as governments of their respective states to succeed in their efforts to achieve security peace and development of the country.
Speaking at the occasion, held at the Bichi Township Stadium, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar, who was accompanied to the event by one of only two first class monarchs in Delta State and Dein of Agbor, His Majesty Keagborekuzi Ikenchukwu I, called on Nigerians not to give up but continue to pray fervently for God’s intervention to overcome the challenges of insecurity and others bedevilling the country especially the North.
By way of emphasis, the Sultan called on traditional rulers to continue to assist their state governments in the discharge of their responsibilities towards improving and ameliorating the suffering of the people.
The Sultan was speaking as President Muhammadu Buhari and Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, in their respective remarks, urged the leaders of traditional institution to promote peace, stability and assist government to provide security for lives and properties.
The President made the call in his congratulatory message to the new Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Nasiru Ado Bayero, who received his Staff of Office from Ganduje during the coronation.
Buhari, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, is also an uncle to the Emir, Nasiru, whose daughter, Zahra, was married by his son, Yusuf, Friday 20 August, 2021, a day before the coronation.
“Your father, my late friend, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, may his soul rest in peace, was a symbol of unity, not only within the kingdom, but also in the entire Northern Nigeria and the country in general. I am confident that you will exhibit such leadership qualities and much more,” the President said.
Ganduje, while presenting him the Staff of Office, urged traditional rulers in Kano to continue to assist government in providing security for lives and property.
The DEFENDER reports that Bichi is one of four new emirates created by Ganduje’s administration during the reigns of Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, who was later deposed and has since been replaced by Aminu Ado Bayero as Emir of Kano. Others are Rano, Gaya and Karaye in addition to the existing Kano to now make five members of the Kano Emirate Council.
Speaking after presenting the Staff of Office to the Emir, Ganduje said the state government appreciated the contributions being rendered by traditional institutions in promoting peace and stability in the state.
According to the governor, the contributions of traditional institutions made the administration to create the additional emirates, with a view to extending development to grassroot areas.
He urged the Emir and other monarchs in Kano to continue to assist government in providing security for lives and property.
Earlier, in his speech, the Emir, Nasiru Ado Bayero, called on his subjects not to harbour criminals but instead expose and report them and their strange movement to security agencies.
He vowed not to let the people down as he would discharge his responsibility with equity and justice.
Bayero called on Bichi people to enrol their children in school and plant trees to avert desertification.
Other dignitaries in attendence included the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba El-kanemi, Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, and Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar, Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, Emir of Lafiya, Alhaji Sidi Bage Muhammad I, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Alhaji AbdulRasheed Adewale Akanbi, and Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Mahdi Aliyu Gusau, among others.
