Sultan of Sokoto: The Prestige of Northern Nigeria, By Nafiu Lema
By KEMI KASUMU
“These acts of compassion are what differentiate the Sultan’s leadership from others,” Lema said, stressing that the monarch’s conduct demonstrated “compassion in its truest form.”
The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, CFR, mni, has been described as a symbol of humility, compassion and exemplary leadership in Northern Nigeria.
CLICK HERE FOR A TRIBUTE TO SULTAN @70
Nafiu Muhammad Lema, Chief Executive Officer of Gaskiya Newspaper, Sokoto, North-West Nigeria, made the observation in a tribute to the Sultan, highlighting his leadership style and commitment to the welfare of the people.
Lema described the Sultan as a humble, honest and exceptional leader who has consistently demonstrated that leadership should be driven by compassion rather than ego or personal ambition.
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He recalled an incident in which the Sultan, during a visit to Rijiyar Kade in Kware Local Government Area of Sokoto State, made an unscheduled stop to see the village head, who had reportedly been battling illness for a long period.
According to him, photographs from the visit showed the Sultan squatting beside the ailing traditional ruler, an act he said reflected the monarch’s humility and genuine concern for ordinary people.
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Lema said the gesture was one of many examples of the Sultan’s compassionate approach to leadership.
“There are many lessons to learn in the lifestyle of the present Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III CFR,Mni. He is humble, honest, rare gem, and a gleaming diamond. He has not let ego, and ambition overshadow his leadership style. He goes by, but looks by.
“In the pictures attached to this post, the revered Sultan of Sokoto is seeing squating down when he, and his entourage visited the Village Head of Rijiyar Kade, in Kware Local Government district who has been suffering with illness for long. The Sultan remembered him, and decided to pay him an unscheduled visit,” said the media executive.
He noted that the Sultan had travelled to the community to inaugurate a new mosque and lead the inaugural prayer, but still found time to visit the village head after remembering his condition.
“These acts of compassion are what differentiate the Sultan’s leadership from others,” Lema said, stressing that the monarch’s conduct demonstrated “compassion in its truest form.”
He added that the Sultan’s humility and accessibility had continued to earn him respect and admiration among Nigerians, particularly in the North.
The tribute, originally dated November 20, 2020 but was reposted Tuesday August 25, 2026 a day after the Sultan’s 70th birthday, was accompanied by photographs credited to Mukhtar A. Haliru, with Lema offering prayers for his repose.
The Sultan of Sokoto, who is the spiritual leader of Nigeria’s Muslim community, is widely recognised for his interventions on issues of national unity, peace, religious harmony and social development.
