It was a day of celebration for the people of Lere Emirate in Kaduna State as Governor Nasir El-Rufai presented the staff of office to the 14th emir, Engineer Suleiman Umaru, who has been appointed to the throne after the death of the late emir, Brigadier General Garba Muhammad (rtd), in April 2021.
El-Rufai, who described the new emir as a man of experience and exposure, said the emirate council and people will benefit greatly from his experience.
Arewa Trust Weekly reports that traditional leaders at the presentation of staff of office included the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli and Emir of Nassarawa, Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Jibrin among others.
Some residents of Lere who spoke with our correspondent after the presentation, expressed joy and called on the new emir to embrace both the poor and rich as well as ensure justice in the emirate.
Alhaji Ahmad Tiyaye said, “We are grateful that we have a new emir and he has been given his staff of office. The people of Lere are happy and we appeal to the new emir to unite us all and to follow his late father’s footsteps because he was a champion of unity.
“The people loved his late father who was the 12th emir because his home was open to all – both the rich and poor. I pray that the new emir will build on those positive traits.”
Malam Murtala Sani Lere, who holds the title of Sallaman Lere, said there was no doubt that the massive turnout at the presentation of staff of office was an indication of support and confidence in the new emir.
The title holder, who has worked with two emirs, called on the new emir to be patient with the people. “Any person given such responsibility should know that he has been given a huge burden. The ultimate lesson is for one to be patient and this is why the people still make reference to the past emirs because they exemplified patience,” he said.
He described the new emir as a very patient man who is also forgiving and called on the people of Lere to pray for the success of his reign.
Also speaking with our correspondent another title holder, Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammad, said he was happy to have witnessed three of such presentations of staff of office to three emirs.
Muhammad said he has known the present emir right from his secondary school days as a person who easily forgives and works with others for the greater good.
“I have lived with him and I can judge him to be a good person. I call on the people to give him all the support because this is an emir that is well educated, exposed and established. He will bring a lot of good things to our people and the emirate,” he said.
