Barely 24 hours after the epoch-making wedding of one of their princesses to the son of President Muhammadu Buhari, residents of Bichi on Saturday again trooped out to witness the coronation and the formal handing over of staff of office to their Emir, Alhaji Nasir Ado Bayero.
Daily Trust reports that there was excitement in the town, the seat of one of the newly created emirates in Kano State.
Thousands of residents and well-wishers stormed the Bichi township stadium, venue of the event, to witness the historic event led by Kano State governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
Alhaji Nasir Ado Bayero received the staff of office as the second emir of Bichi following his appointment on March 9, 2020 to replace his brother, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, who was moved to Kano emirate.
In his message at the event, President Buhari, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, said it was a time for leaders to display their quality of leadership and work tirelessly for the development of their people.
He called on emerging leaders in the country to rid the nation of divisiveness and unite the people.
‘‘Your father, my friend the late Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, was a symbol of unity, not only within his Kingdom but also within Northern Nigeria and the whole country,” the president said.
President Buhari expressed optimism that the new emir will exhibit similar qualities and “even much more, as he has begun to exhibit” within the few months of his reign.
Professor Gambari, who doubles as the emir’s uncle, said the celebration was homecoming to him.
“The transformation of Kano to five emirates is a significant development in the political evolution of traditional institutions in Kano state.
“The president is delighted and congratulates the new emir, especially at a time like this,” he said.
We created new emirates to bring govt closer to people – Ganduje
On his part, Governor Ganduje described the event as historic and extra-ordinary, saying the rationale behind creating four new emirates in the state is part of his administration’s commitment to bring the government closer to the people.
He said, “Persons who were born in the late 70s and early 80s in Kano State have not witnessed the coronation of a first class emir, until 2014, after about four decades.
“In the last two months, we have given staff of office to the Emirs of Gaya, Rano, Kano and today we are in Bichi.
“Alhaji Nasir Ado Bayero is a technocrat. So, your highness, I will like to appeal to you to use your knowledge to bring unity in your emirate, and Kano in general. I implore you to be the father of all,” Ganduje added.
The governor also called on Emir Bayero alongside other emirs in the state to reform traditional institutions in the state and support his administration policies, especially in education, security and social development.
On his part, Emir Nasir Ado Bayero promised to follow his predecessor’s path in contributing to the progress and development of Bichi, especially in the education and health sectors as well as the modern methods of farming.
He said the relationship between Kano and Bichi cut across generations and are inseparable.
He also sought the support of the state and federal governments towards developing Bichi Emirate, especially in the construction of feeder roads to support the grassroots economy.
“We will make effort in providing access to development for the people of the Emirate and reduce the scourge of poverty through the provision of the necessary amenities. We pray to God to help us in achieving this.”
The emir also noted that his emirate intends to concentrate on the protection of the environment by bringing new methods of controlling desertification closer to the people and encouraging tree planting in and around the emirate to fight against the menace like flood.
He called on all agencies and individuals to support tree planting activities and creation of forest reserves as ways of fighting desertification.
He assured the people that he will do his best to ensure that the people of Bichi achieve a lot.
Sultan calls for more prayers to tackle insecurity
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, also called on Nigerians to be more prayerful and seek divine intervention concerning the security challenge facing the country, especially in the North.
Professor Gambari, who led the federal government delegation to the event, was accompanied by Ministers of Defense, Agriculture and Rural Development, Water Resources, Aviation as well as the President’s spokesperson, Malam Garba Shehu.
Governors of Niger, Abubakar Sani Bello; Kogi, Yahaya Bello and former Governor of Imo, Rochas Okorocha; Director General of Department of State Security (DSS), Yusuf Magaji Bichi; Shehu of Borno; Emirs of Kano, Zazzau, Daura, Lafia, Rano, Gaya, Karaye; Senators representing Kano North and Kano South; Majority Leader of House of Representatives, among others also graced the occasion.
