Mutawalle is a traditional title derived from the Arabic phrase “Mutawallif Maal” meaning ‘The custodian of funds’.
According to a renowned scholar and foremost traditional title holder in Katsina, Wazirin Katsina, Professor Sani Lugga, the title of Mutawalle came into existence in Katsina during the reign of Emir Muhammadu Dikko.
Prof. Lugga said many provinces in northern Nigeria came to Katsina to learn simple book keeping and the act of financial management.
He said the first person to be installed as the Mutawalle was the grandfather of the new Mutawalle, late Mutawalle Umaru, in 1907/08.
“After Mutawalle Umaru, then Mutawalle Balarabe, who was the son-in-law of Emir Muhammadu Dikko. After him was Mutawalle Sule and when he died, General Shehu Musa Yar’adua, the father of the new Mutawalle, was installed. The last to hold the title was late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua.
Presently, Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua is the Mutawallen Katsina. A retired military officer, an astute politician and a gentleman, Abdulaziz is a son to Mutawallen Katsina Musa Yar’adua, grandson to Mutawalle Umaru and a brother to the late Mutawalle Umar Musa Yar’adua – our former president and an icon of our democracy.
Soja (as he is fondly called from childhood) was born on August 4, 1964 in Katsina and hails from Katsina Local Government Area of Katsina State. He had his primary and secondary school education at the Musa Yar’adua Qur’anic Model Primary School Katsina and Nigerian Military School Zaria from 1970 to 1981. Between 1981 and 1987, he attended the College of Advanced Studies and Ahmadu Bello University Zaria from where he graduated with a Bachelors degree in Physics. Thereafter, he furthered his studies at Rochester Institute of Technology USA, and bagged an M.Sc in Electrical Engineering.
The new Mutawalle started his military career as a soldier, rose to the rank of Lance Corporal before he was granted Short Service Combatant Commission in the rank of Second Lieutenant on September 22, 1990. He later converted to Regular Combatant Commission on March 16, 1998.
Abdulaziz served in the Nigerian Army Signals Corps. He attended several civil and military courses, seminars and workshops, some of which include Signals Young Officers Course, Infantry Young Officers Course, Junior Staff Course Harris Corporation Technical Training on RF HF and VHF Radios, Training on Satellite Communications, Management Training Course, Spectrum Management Training, Peace Keeping, Force Protection and Antiterrorism Training.
The astute military officer also held several military appointments ranging from staff, instruction to command positions. His last appointment was Assistant Director of Records, Army Headquarters Abuja.
Lieutenant Colonel Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua was awarded the Silver Jubilee Medal, Meritorious Service Star, Forces Service Star and Nigerian Army Sport Personnel Medal. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before his voluntary retirement from the service on September 30, 2010, after 29 years of eventful military service.
After a fulfilling and eventful military career, the intelligent officer ventured into politics in 2010 and joined the Congress for Progressives Change (CPC). After a successful merger between his party and other political parties to form the All Progressives Change (APC), he registered and became a founding member of the APC in Katsina State in 2014. He contested the party primaries for the governorship position in 2015 but lost to the incumbent, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari (Dallatun Katsina).
Driven by his unwavering commitment to serve his people and community in whatever capacity, he contested for the House of Representatives and the Katsina Central Senate position at different times, losing all at the party primaries.
Abdulaziz is a man of patience, dedication and honesty. He is revered by many of the citizens of the state because of his family and historic background, as well as his impeccable character of friendliness and dedication to whatever he chooses to do. It is therefore no wonder that His Royal Highness chose him to serve as the Mutawalle of Katsina. A position that is given only to the most trusted and dedicated members of the community.
Lieutenant Colonel Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua (rtd) is married with 7 children.
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