The Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, at the weekend appointed Alhaji Ahmad Abubakar Walama as the new ‘Sarkin Malaman Gombe’ and one of the eight kingmakers in the emirate council.
Presenting Walama with his appointment letter, the Shamakin Gombe, Alhaji Usman Muhammad, said after a series of consultations, Emir Abubakar III appointed him because he has proven himself worthy and fit for the position.
Walama succeeded his late elder brother, Muhammad Wabili Abubakar, who was the second Sarkin Malamai, leader of Islamic scholars of Gombe Emirate Council, who died in December 2019.
Shamakin Gombe, therefore, urged him to respect the norms, culture and values of the traditional institution and use his position to unite all Islamic scholars towards the development of the emirate and the state.
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In his acceptance speech, Walama, who was a former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, as well as two-term chairman of Dukku Local Government Area of the state, assured that his appointment will be renewed hope for a peaceful coexistence among various religious and ethnic groups living across the state.
According to him, as one of the kingmakers of the Gombe Emirate he will represent and also interface between religious groups to ensure peaceful coexistence and development in the state.
“I will use my position to foster unity among the clerics and also promote harmony and peace among all religious faithful including Muslims and Christians. We have to live in peace so our society will develop. This will be my priority as I take this position in the emirate.
“I have served as chairman of Dukku LGA for eight years and later as commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs for another eight years. So, I know what it means to work with people, especially those at the grassroots and this appointment for me is to continue from where I stopped in serving the society and working to change it for better,” Walama said.
