New dawn in Lafiagi as Emir Kawu receives staff of office

Today, December10, 2021, the agrarian town of Lafiagi, Edu Local Government Area of Kwara State, is witnessing a new dawn for the coronation of Alhaji Mohammed Kudu Kawu, the 14th emir of the ancient town.

The event, under the auspices of the Kwara State government, will have in attendance top dignitaries from across the country – from the traditional, government and public sectors – who will converge to honour the new monarch.

Already, the town is wearing a new look, with the new emir’s impactful city beautification project that includes the Light Up Lafiagi and the N10m market renovation.

Alhaji Mohammed Kudu Kawu’s coronation marks the beginning of another phase in the highly eventful journey of his life.

For someone that has spent over two decades in the financial sector, the appointment of the former prince to the throne of his fathers is coming at a time Lafiagi Emirate is eager for another historical trajectory.

As a community with a rich history, tradition and religion, both of which have made Lafiagi a famous agrarian settlement, the appointment of “The Banker” to the traditional stool has been described by former colleagues and associates as a fitting climax to the quest to make Lafiagi a hub for agribusiness.

Who is Alhaji Mohammed

Alhaji Mohammed Kudu Kawu was born on May 28, 1969, into the family of late Mallam Abubakar Kawu, a Lafiagi Prince and Hajia Ramatu Mamudu, the daughter of late Alhaji Ndagi Mamudu.

Mamudu was the Waziri of Agaie, Niger State and former Minister of Water Resources under the late President Shehu Shagari administration.

His late father was a Deputy Registrar at ABU Zaria. For this reason, the new Emir grew up within the vicinity of the university campus at Zaria, where he acquired his education from primary to the tertiary level. 

Described as a highly experienced Business Executive, Kawu, who was hitherto the Ubandoman Lafiagi, worked for over two decades in the banking and financial services sector, rising to senior leadership positions.

His illustrious banking career started with Chartered Bank in 1997, where he worked till 2000. He was in Ecobank, Kano branch (2000-2001), from where he moved to Prudent Bank, as an Assistant Manager in 2001. 

He became a manager in 2006 when the bank metamorphosed into Skye Bank. By 2017, he had risen to the position of Regional Director (North Region) at Polaris Bank PLC (former Skye Bank).

He assumed the role of a regional executive, supervising business development for all branches in the North and Abuja for Wema Bank.

He was a Deputy General Manager at Wema Bank until his appointment as the 14th Emir of Lafiagi.

Education

Kawu, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria and advanced degrees in Business Administration, Islamic Banking & Finance from ABU Zaria and Bayero University, Kano, respectively. 

He is also an alumnus of the Lagos Business School where he attended a senior management programme. 

Who said what 

For the Director-General/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), National Centre for Women Empowerment, Abuja, Dr Asabe Vilita Bashir, the appointment marks a new dawn for the Lafiagi Emirate.

“Kawu is a very reliable and dependable person having known him for more than 20 years. We started as business partners then but he encouraged me and showed me how to invest which has helped me a great deal in life. 

“This is a new phase for him, different from his career. But with his integrity, character and pedigree, I am very sure he will bring his wealth of experience to bear to improve the fortunes of his people and the entire Emirate.

“He is not the type that will go and sit in the palace and be receiving visitors. I am sure he is going to attract investors to the Emirate and enlighten his people who are good farmers on how to invest. It is indeed a new dawn in Lafiagi with Alhaji Mohammed,” she added.   

Gbenga Ademulegun, a former Executive Director of Wema Bank and former colleague described the new Emir as a natural and selfless leader who will use his rich experience in the banking sector to improve the fortunes of his people.

“We worked together for upward of about 12 years starting from Skye Bank. For some reason, I had identified him as a leader who is concerned not just for the job but also for his colleagues.

“In his role as the Regional Director for the Northern Region, he was very responsible, kind, amiable, considerate and above all, he is very dependable

“In the several years I have worked with him, I have never faulted him on anything up to the issue of handling of funds which can be attested to by all colleagues.

“So his choice as the Emir of Lafiagi cannot be wrong. He is a forward-looking person, very cosmopolitan and also traditional who knows what is right and appropriate. His character will perfectly fit the role of the Emir of Lafiagi,” Ademulegun added.

On his part, the Chairman, Board of the College of Education, Abeokuta, and Turakin Lafiagi, Alhaji AbdulRahman Shehu, said Alhaji Mohammed will champion the economic revitalisation of his community.

“The young man is a very vibrant and knowledgeable fellow. Since his announcement as the Emir, the town has taken a new shape and we are all looking forward to a robust era in the Emirate, going by what we have seen so far of him.

“As one who is very alert to the responsibilities of the emirship and who knows his onions, we are very hopeful and looking forward to the economic revitalisation of the Emirate, going by his background,” he noted.

Shehu, who is also the BOT chairman of Lafiagi Descendants Development Union (LADDU), further said “being a listening person, he has already established so many committees on health, environment, agriculture and so on for advice on how to move the Emirate forward.”