•Namadi Sambo: He is a pillar of modern Nigeria
 |
| Emir of Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero |
By Muhammad Bello and Ibrahim Shuaibu
Emir of Kano Alhaji Ado Bayero says he bears no grudges
against any one and has forgiven all who have offended him in one way or the
other.
Bayero said this Saturday in Kano at the Durbar to mark his
50th year on the throne, in a veiled reference to those who made an attempt on
his life recently, among others.
He said: "Today marks a special day in my life,
attaining unique 50 years on the throne. It’s indeed a day of great happiness
for me. I want to use this unique opportunity to seek for forgiveness from all
and sundry whom I may have offended directly or indirectly, as I have forgiven
all those who may have offended me”.
In his special address to a mammoth crowd of people and
dignitaries gathered in his palace for the Durbar to mark his 50th anniversary
on the throne, the emir called on the people to be God-fearing and abide by
religious injunctions in all their activities.
“Alhamdulillah, all praises are due to Allah for his mercy
on us to witness these years. I received tremendous support from the people of
the state and it’s wonderful and eventful for me”.
Bayero also implored the people to always guide their
children to conduct themselves well and ensure they are engaged in schools so
as to be good people in the society who will be beneficial to the state and the
nation.
“I thank all those who have shown concern and support to us
in our 50 years on the throne,” he said.
Welcoming the guest of honour and President Goodluck
Jonathan's representative, Vice President Namadi Sambo, earlier, the Sultan of
Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Saad Abubakar II thanked the president for giving all
necessary support for the success of the anniversary.
He prayed for lasting peace and stability in Borno, Yobe and
Adamawa, the three states under emergency rule as well as in other parts of the
country.
In his address at the celebration, President Jonathan called
on all Nigerians irrespective of their political or religious inclination to
avoid acts capable of causing violence in the country.
The president said the call had become necessary because it
was only in an atmosphere of peace and harmony that any society could achieve
economic growth and development.
‘
Jonathan said: ’Let me at this juncture enjoin each and
every one of us to promote peace and peaceful coexistence and eschew any act
that can destroy peace and harmony.
“We must also respect the rule of law in whichever situation
we find ourselves as it is the only platform for achieving meaningful
development.”
He described the Emir of Kano as “an embodiment of peace and
peaceful coexistence,” and prayed God to grant the traditional ruler good
health to enable him serve his people effectively.
Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso urged the people of
the state to continue to pray for his (emir’s) long life to enable them
continue to tap from his wealth of experience.
“I pray that the Almighty Allah will give him long life so
that the nation can benefit more from his wealth of experience,’’ Kwankwaso
said.
THISDAY correspondent in Kano observed that eminent
personalities including former heads of state, General Muhammadu Buhari and
General Abdulsami Abubakar, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, House of
Representatives Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Sultan of Damagaram from Niger
Republic, Governors of Kaduna, Sokoto and Bauchi states as well as emirs from all over the country attended the
grand occasion.
Meanwhile, Vice President Sambo has said the Emir of Kano,
Alhaji Ado Bayero is one of the pillars of Nigerian nationhood.
He said this at the Durbar to mark the 50th anniversary on
the throne of the emir.Arc Sambo extended the felicitations of President
Jonathan and the good people of Nigeria to the royal father, praying the
Almighty Allah for his long life, good health and prosperity.
He acknowledged the role the Emir of Kano had been playing
in the development and modernization of not only the emirate but also the state
and the country.
He said: "Alhaji Ado Bayero is one of the most
respected oases in Nigeria, a nation builder and one of the pillars of Nigerian
nationhood. In the most difficult and turbulent moment of our history. He has
always served as stabilizing force, always offering words of hope and wisdom.
"He is without doubt, one of the greatest patriots of
our time; with an unquestionable commitment to unity and stability of
Nigeria."
A statement by the spokesperson of the vice president Umar
Sani said Sambo described Kano under the reign of Bayero as prosperous and as
one of the greatest cities of African, whose
prosperity has continued to soar, in the areas of commerce and Islamic
and western education.
Sambo said the Durbar
was a historic and a colourful display of
Nigeria's rich cultural heritage which shows the respect the emirate
attaches to "our customs and our noble traditional values."
"The event we are witnessing today is indeed historic
and calls for celebration and expressions of gratitude to Almighty Allah for
the long life granted our great monarch
under whose leadership Kano emirate has undergone rapid socio-economic
transformations," he added.
The vice president seized the opportunity to call on all
Nigerians to be their brothers keeper and respect the rule of law, reiterating
that without an atmosphere of peace and tranquillity meaningful development
could not be archived.
He also lauded the leadership qualities of the emir and called
on the people of Kano and beyond to continue to offer prayers for peace and
harmony in Nigeria. He appreciated the
invaluable advice and wise counsel of the Emir.
Highlights of the event was presentation to the emir by
Sambo of a congratulatory letter from President Jonathan.
The occasion also witnessed procession by colourful horsemen
in their rich regalia from all the districts that made the Emirate.
The Emir of Kano Bayero is the 13th Fulani ruler of the
emirate. He ascended the throne on June 15, 1963.
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