Friday, February 8, 2019, marked the 44th anniversary since the ascension of Alhaji Shehu Idris on the prestigious throne of the Emir of Zazzau. Daily Trust on Sunday reports.
The Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, has opened a new chapter in the history of the Zazzau Emirate. He has many firsts to his credit. He sets the record of being the first emir to assume the throne of the emirate at the age of 39. With his 44th anniversary, he became the first person to serve for that long as emir in the history of the emirate.
He is also the first emir to work with 19 governors. He is the first to rise through the ranks of the traditional hierarchy of Zazzau emirate and became the emir. The firsts of Idris, who has been described by many as a perfect gentleman, are numerous.
Perhaps, these attributes informed the decision of the low-key ceremony to commemorate the 44th anniversary of his assumption of office. It was a low-key ceremony where the usual fanfares were stepped down. Since the 40th anniversary, the Zazzau emirate adopted a low-key pattern of the annual event; as such the 44th anniversary was marked with prayers where both Muslim and Christian clerics participated.
The fact that the event came on a Friday, residents and other well-wishers took advantage of the Holy day to offer prayers for continuous peaceful coexistence in the emirate. Prayers were offered for the emir’s good health and more years in prosperity.
Like in the last past three anniversaries, the emir expressed his gratitude to Allah for granting him good health and long life to become the longest serving emir on the Zazzau’s throne. He pleaded with his counsellors, district heads, subjects and the residents of the emirate, as well as Nigerians in general, to forgive whatever wrong he might have done to them.
He added: “I would like to start by thanking Allah. When I assumed the mantle of leadership of this great emirate, I was only 39. Today, I am celebrating 44th anniversary on the throne. This is a rare privilege. For this, I want to seek for your forgiveness for any wrong that I might have done to you.
“I would like to also use this opportunity to appeal to Nigerians to continue to give peace a chance. Without peace, Nigeria cannot achieve its developmental goals. Parents are also advised to continue to monitor the activities of their wards. Only descent and well-trained youths can drive the development of this great country,” Alhaji Idris said.
Some of the counsellors of the emir described him as humble and simple personality who gives desired attention to the welfare of his subjects.
Alhaji Abdulkareem Aminu is the Wamban Zazzau and also one of the senior counsellors of the emir. He said the emir’s simplicity is his great asset.
“Those of us that are part of the Zazzau royal family are indeed happy with this anniversary. In the history of the emirate, His Highness is the first emir to serve this long on the throne. Allah has blessed him with long life, we are indeed happy for this.
“Again, the emir is always after the welfare of his subjects. Not only that, the emir is a peacemaker. He assists the poor, the rich and the royal. Therefore, he is not only the emir of Zazzau, but his humanitarian and peacemaking activities spread across the nooks and crannies of Nigeria. The way the emir is ensuring that the families of other royal houses did not collapse, may his family not collapse as well. This is our prayers,” Alhaji Aminu said.
He urged Nigerians to copy the virtues of the emir, saying that if Nigerians become peace-lovers like Alhaji Idris, there would be no more communal or other sentiment-related crisis.
Alhaji Abubakar Ladan Ciroman Shantali is the Chief Protocol and Information Officer of the emir. He said Zazzau emirate during the 44 years of the emir’s reign has witnessed tremendous progress.
He added; “One great virtue of our emir is his love for peace. He is such a simple person that is loved by all and sundry. Those of us that are in the royal circle always appreciate his efforts of trying to maintain heir-apparent in the royal circle. When a certain title holder passes on, His Highness would ensure that one of the family members of the deceased emerge as successor. This is a great character as far as royalty in concerned.”
The coronation of Alhaji Idris was performed on February 8, 1975. He belongs to the Katsinawa dynasty of the Zazzau emirate and was born to the family of Malam Idrisu Auta on February 20, 1936. The alias of the monarch’s father was Autan Sambo and this is one of the famous songs of praises of the emir. Malam Idrisu Autan Sambo died when the emir was only 12 years old.
According to the emir’s brief memoir, Alhaji Idris began his education pursuit at the local Islamic school or Makarantar Allo in Hausa. He later enrolled in the Zaria Elementary School. He was at the elementary school between 1947 and 1950. Between 1950 and 1955, the emir had his Middle School education. He then attended Katsina Training College and this qualified him to become a teacher.
The monarch started his teaching career in 1958 at Hunkuyi, now the headquarters of Kudan Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Later in 1960, the emir was appointed the private secretary to the then emir, Alhaji Muhammad Aminu. After serving at different capacities in the Zazzau palace and the then Native Authority, in 1973 Alhaji Idris was turbaned as Dan Madamin Zazzau and the District head of Zaria-Kewaye before he succeeded late Muhammadu Aminu as the 18th emir of Zazzau.
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