Friends, family and associates will today converge on the palace of the Emir of Karaye, Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar II, for the turbaning of Alhaji Jibrin Ibrahim Zarewa as Sarkin Bai Karaye.
Zarewa, who is currently the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in charge of Katsina State, was appointed as a king maker and member of the Karaye Emirate Council in Kano State by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Karaye is one of the four newly created emirates in the state.
The title of Sarkin Bai is an exalted position given to people with proven integrity among other qualities.
Sarkin Bai, in the old Kano emirate was a title reserved exclusively for the leader of the Dambazawa Fulani clan. Whoever was chosen as Sarkin Ban Kano, automatically became the leader of the Danbazawa clan, the secretary of the Kano King Makers Council and District Head of Danbatta.
The Dambazawa (or Danbazawa) is a Fulani clan mainly in Kano State, Nigeria. They were among the key promoters, planners and executors of the Fulani jihad in Kano, which took place between 1804 and 1807, under the leadership of Shehu Usuman dan Fodiyo. The clan was said to be the main financier of the jihad because it was extremely wealthy at the time of the jihad.
Other Fulani clans that participated in the jihad are; the Jobawa, the Yolawa, the Sullubawa, the Danejawa as well as a contingent of the native Hausa people led by Malam Usuman Bahaushe.
Together, they formed a formidable force and toppled the 158 year Kutumbawa dynasty led by Muhammad Alwali dan Yaji dan Dadi bakutumbe, who ruled between 1781 and 1806.
The letter announcing his appointment which was signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Usman Alhaji, said the recognition was based on his track record of service and dedication to duty.
It urged him to exhibit those qualities in the discharge of this new assignment for the good of Karaye emirate and the state in general.
Based on his track record and vast experience in managing people, the appointment of Alhaji Zarewa as Sarkin Bai of Karaye will no doubt enhance the lives of people of the area. Analysts said the choice will add value to the emirate and by extension Kano State in general.
Born on January 5, 1954 in Zarewa, Rogo Local Government Area, Zarewa started his academic life at Zarewa Primary School, Kano State, from 1961 to 67 after which he moved to Govt. Sec Sch. Danbatta, Kano State, 1968-72 then Abdullahi Bayero College.
He also attended the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, 1974- 1977, where he bagged a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He also obtained a master’s degree in Administration.
After his graduation from ABU, Zarewa was deployed to Ogun State for his National Youth Service, during which he taught English Language, Government and Civic Studies at the Sapade Grammar School, Ode Remo.
Zarewa also attended courses and seminars including a course in Micro-Computer Application, Management and Engineering, Computer Application for Top Managers among others.
The new Sarkin Bai joined the Kano State Civil Service on August 1, 1978 as Assistant Secretary II SGL. 08 and rose to Assistant Secretary I SGL in 1980, Senior Assistant Secretary in 1982, Principal Asst. Secretary in 1984, Under Secretary, 1986, Principal Secretary,1988, Deputy Secretary, 1989 and Ag. Director,1990.
While in service, he worked in the following ministries and offices; Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Rural & Community Development, Ministry of Home Affairs & Information, Cabinet Office (Cabinet Secretariat), Cabinet Office (Special Duties Office), Monitoring & Special Duties Directorate among many others.
For special assignments, Sarkin Bai served as Secretary, Kano State Project Delegation to Czeslovakia, Bulgaria, Romania and Soviet Union, Secretary, Northern States Military Governors Meeting, Joint Secretary, Kano/Bauchi State joint Boundary Dispute Committee , Secretary, Debate on New National housing Policy (Kano Chapter), Secretary, Negotiation between Kano State government and the NNDC on the Management of the Kano State Hotels and Member, representing Government interest on the Boards of many parastatals.
At the federal level, the new Sarkin Bai served as Substantive Asst. Director/Acting Deputy Director, Deputy Director, Acting Director and Substantive Director. He worked under the Police Affairs Office, the Presidency as Deputy Director (Police Council), Deputy Director (Personnel Management) and Director, Personnel Management.
He was later moved to the Federal Civil Service Commission where he served as Director (Personnel Management) later Director, (Finance and Supplies). While at the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, he was the Special Asst. to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, and at the Federal Ministry of Finance, he served as Director, External Finance, Director, Foreign Exchange Trade and Relations.
After the reform of the Federal Ministry of Finance which involved the merging of the Departments of Foreign Exchange & Trade Relations Department and Home Finance to form the Home Finance Department, he served as Acting Permanent Secretary. He also worked for the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) as Secretary of Programmes.
The new Sarkin Bai was also a member, Constituent Assembly, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Deputy Coordinator, Movement of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to Abuja, Secretary, Census Tribunal that adjudicated on 1991 Census, Secretary, Judicial Commission of Inquiry on the boundary dispute between Eket and Uqua Ibeano, Akwa Ibom State, Deputy Secretary, Panel of Investigation into Affairs of the Nigeria Petroleum Corporation, Secretary, Review Panel on the Report of NNPC Panel among others.
Alhaji Ibrahim was appointed as Resident Electoral Commissioner on June 9, 2010 and deployed to Zamfara State. He conducted the general election in Zamfara State in 2011 and was later redeployed to Kebbi State. He completed his first five-year tenure as Resident Electoral Commissioner on June 9, 2015 in Kebbi State and was re-appointed.
The new Sarkin Bai has visited many countries including Niger, Benin Republic, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Guinea Conakry, Egypt, South Africa, Sudan, Madagascar, Ethiopia, England, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Netherland, China, Russia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, India, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Malasia, Canada, United States of America, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.
