Sultan of Sokoto, VP Shettima, Gov Namadi, Emirs attend special prayers marking Emir of Gumel’s 45th coronation anniversary

*Sultan Abubakar commissions mosque newly constructed by Shettima Foundation on occasion witnessed by Sultan of Damagaram from Niger Republic, VP Shettima, others 

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

The Sultan’s convoy later drove to Gumel where, after observing the Jumat service, he was joined by Vice President Shettima, the governor and other Emirs all of whom participated in the special coronation anniversary prayers held at the Emir’s Palace for the 16th Emir of Gumel, who has been on the throne since his coronation in 1981 and has been involved in various local initiatives, such as advocating for security, promoting education, and supporting national census efforts.

The Chairman National Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, joined by Vice President of Nigeria, His Excellency Senator Kashim Shettima, Governor of Jigawa State, Mallam Umar Namadi, and some Emirs from parts of the North, on Friday December 5, 2025, attended a special coronation anniversary prayer, in honour of Emir of Gumel, His Royal Highness Alhaji Ahmad Muhammad Sani II, CON, whose 45th coronation anniversary was being marked.

The DEFENDER had reported earlier that the Sultan, who is equally the natural Chairman of Northern Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria, landed and was warmly received at the Dutse International Airport same day by the Jigawa State governor, supported by Emir of Dutse, Jigawa State, His Royal Highness Alhaji Muhammad Hameem Nuhu Sanusi CFR, and Emir of Gaya, Kano State, His Royal Highness Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Abdulkadir Gaya.

The Sultan’s convoy later drove to Gumel where he was joined by Sultan of Damagaram who visited from the Republic of Niger, Nigeria’s Vice President Shettima, the Jigawa State governor and other Emirs all of whom participated in the special coronation anniversary prayers.

The prayers were held at the Emir’s Palace for the 16th Emir of Gumel, who has been on the throne since his coronation in 1981 and has been involved in various local initiatives, such as advocating for security, promoting education, and supporting national census efforts.

In a brief remark, the Sultan congratulated the Emir for the blessings of the Almighty Allah for the 45 years on the throne and prayed for him to have more years of fruitful service to the Gumel Emirate.

He urged Northern Emirs to continue showing solidarity to one another so as to unite and strengthen the traditional institution in the region.

Sultan Abubakar congratulated and appreciated the Governor of Jigawa State, Mallam Umar Namadi, for his support to the Emirs and urged him to do more.

He also thanked the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, for gracing the occasion.

In his speech, the special guest of honor, Vice President Shettima, congratulated the Emir of Gumel and wished him more years in the throne as Sarki of his people and one of respected traditional leaders of Northern Nigeria and Nigeria, in general.

VP Shettima eulogised the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar for being selfless, committed and hardworking in promoting unity and peace across the county, while “assuring of government support to traditional institutions as custodians of our historical heritage, peace and development.

He also asserted that Nigeria and Niger Republic long standing brotherhood will continue to be strengthened for peace and progress of the two nations.

Thereafter, the Sultan in company of the vice president, Jigawa governor, Emirs and dignitaries commissioned and observed his Jumat prayer in a mosque newly constructed by the Shettima Foundation.

Those present included the Sultan of Damagaram from Niger Republic, Minister of Agriculture and many officials of states and federal governments in Nigeria.

Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar and his entourage have since departed the Gumel Emirate and have returned to base.

It will be recalled that the Sultan had recently attended a similar event of special coronation anniversary prayers, organiser by the Ogun State Muslim Council, in honour of the Alake of Egba Land, His Royal Majesty Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, on Friday November 14, 2025.

He later attended other events across the South West including the 80th establishment anniversary of Kharashi School Ibadan, along with the Chief Imam of Ibadan Land on Saturday November 15, 2025, visited the Oluwo of Iwo Land, His Imperial Majesty Oba AbdulRasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu I, with regards to his 10th coronation anniversary in Iwo, Osun State same day, and attended as special guest of honour the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN)’s General Assembly held at the Bola Babalakin Auditorium, Gbongan, Osun State on Sunday November 16, 2025.

The Sultan had also, during the weeklong stay in the South West, performed his national assignment as Chancellor of University of Ibadan, during its 77th founder’s and combined convocation ceremonies on Monday November 17, 2025, paid historic visit on the newly installed Olubadan of Ibadan, Oyo State, His Imperial Majesty Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, on Tuesday November 18, 2025, and rounded up his trip in Lagos State where, on Wednesday November 19, 2025, he attended the 2025 Management Day ceremony of the Nigerian Institute of Management (Chartered) both as special guest of honour and notably the first man ever that the Institute would go out of its way to decorate with full honours of Honourary Fellow.