Bamalli Receives Staff Of Office As 19th Emir Of Zazzau … Says, Accession To Throne The Will Of God

Zainab Tanimu

Kaduna, North-West, Nigeria

Zaria city on Monday witnessed  lots of traffic as people trooped in from different parts of the country to witness the coronation of the 19th Fulani Emir of Zazzau, former Nigerian Ambassador to Thailand, Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli.

The new emir received his staff of office

amidst funfair and beautiful Durbar procession.

Bamalli had described his accession as the will of God while promising to be fair and just in his jurisdiction.

If we may recall, his appointment was greeted with controversy.for the simple reason that he was picked from outside the three topmost contenders for the throne recommended to the state Governor by the Zazzau kingmakers.

However, Governor Nasir El Rufai while presenting the staff to the newly appointed Emir at Race Course Zaria explained that the appointment of Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli as the 19th Fulani Emir of Zazzau is an opportunity for his government to correct a colonial injustice done to the Makawa clan.

The Emir’s grandfather, Aliyu Dan Sidi the governor said was unjustly deposed by the colonial Governor of Northern Region, Herbert Symonds Goldsmith 100 years back .

He said the handing over of the Staff of Office to Emir Bamalli  ‘’is taking place exactly 100 years since the colonial Governor of Northern Region, Herbert Symonds Goldsmith, unjustly deposed your grandfather, Emir Aliyu Dan-Sidi of blessed memory.’’

The governor emphasiezed that the vacum created as a result of the death of Alhaji Shehu Idris, gives the government the opportunity ‘’to return to the enduring principles that guided the appointment of Emirs under the Sokoto Caliphate.

Ambassador Bamalli, who is of the Malawa ruling house, succeeds Alhaji Shehu Idris of Katsinawa ruling house, who ruled for 45 years.

Shehu Usman Dan Fodio in his seminal work ‘Bayan Wujub Al-Hijra’ was crystal clear that there are nine qualities of Islamic leadership – wisdom, learning, clemency, generosity, kindness, righteousness, patience, gratitude, and leniency which entails avoidance of harshness,’’ he explained.

El Rufai argued that  ‘’it is on the basis of due regards to these customs, rules and enabling laws that Almighty Allah chose Your Highness to be our Emir, and imposed on me the constitutional duty to appoint you. I therefore call on all those that contested the Emir-ship to accept the will of Allah and join hands with the 19th Emir of Zazzau for progress and harmony in the Emirate.’’

The Governor appealed to title holders, district heads, members of the Emirate Council, the good people of Zazzau Emirate, and indeed all the citizens of Kaduna State to rally around our new Emir by extending to him their full support and cooperation in the same way they extended support  to his predecessors to enable speedy development of the Emirate and the State in general.‘’

El Rufai warned that his ‘’administration expects the loyalty of all persons to our Emirs and Chiefs and will take firm and decisive action against any person that attempts to undermine, in any shape or form, the non-partisan and noble status of our traditional institution, particularly Zazzau Emirate.’’

‘’The new traditional institution’s law will also legislate clear dynastic succession order in all emirates and chiefdoms with more than one ruling house, outline guiding principles for the recommendations of district heads, traditional council members, emirs and chiefs, for appointment, consider expanding the membership of councils, and clearer roles of the kingmakers,’’ he said.

While paying tribute, the immediate past Emir of Zazzau, El Rufai noted that Alhaji Shehu Idris had a most distinguished reign.backing

‘’In his 45 years as Emir, he was regarded as a just and fair ruler, a peacemaker par excellence, an outstanding administrator and a kind hearted leader and father.  He contributed immensely to the successes recorded by our administration, especially in the critical areas of education, preventive healthcare, peace building and mass mobilisation.

‘’His fatherly advice and guidance in our then weekly Security Council meetings would remain indelible in our minds.  May Jannatul Firdaus be his final abode,’’ El Rufai recalled.

The governor expressed confidence that  Emir Bamalli ‘’will consolidate on the solid foundation already put in place by your predecessor,’’ adding that  ‘’the admirable effort you are making to unify Zazzau Emirate should continue, while remaining open and receptive to positive contributions from all the relevant stakeholders.”

Speaking earlier, President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammed Mahmoud Abubakar urged the new Emir to fair and just to all in his leadership of the Emirate.

He also urged the Emir Bamalli to emulate the good virtues of the late Emir, Alhaji Shehu Idris, whose efforts towards the peace and unity of Zazzau Emirate, Kaduna State and Nigeria as a whole, has been widely acknowledged.

In his acceptance speech, Emir Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli said, his accession to the throne of Zazzau, though seen as controversial by some, is undoubtedly the will of Allah,

According to him, “This is an auspicious day in more ways than one. Not only am I being formally installed as Emir of Zazzau, significantly, today marks 100 years since Mallam Aliyu Sidi Abdul-Qadir was deposed as Emir of Zazzau by the British. This honourable and principled man was the fourth and last reigning Emir from the Mallawa Clan to which I belong. I am therefore proud to be his successor, as well as that of Mallam Abubakar Musa, Mallam Sidi Abdul-Qadir Musa, and Mallam Musa, who was the flagbearer of Shehu Usman dan Fodio, first Fulani Emir of Zazzau, my great great grandfather and the founder of the Mallawa Clan.

“My accession to the exalted throne of Zazzau, whilst seen as controversial by some, is undoubtedly the will of Allah and I urge you all to come together so that united we can collectively rebuild our fragmented society, region and indeed the country at large.

“I would like to reiterate what I have said before since being proclaimed Emir. I reach out to all the contenders who put their names forward for the Emirship following the death of Sarkin Zazzau Alhaji Shehu Idris. I employ you all to join me in showing a united front in the work ahead. We have much to do in the service of our people and more experienced hands than few will make the work lighter and more impactful. I reach out to you to work in the spirit of the brotherhood we share in Islam as well as that we share through the many blood connections between our clans. There are many societal issues that we wish to help our people surmount, this can only be effectively achieved through the concerted efforts of us all.

“I have always taken a great interest and have a deep commitment and strong appreciation for the traditions and history of Northern Nigeria, which, like my late father, Magajin Garin Zazzau Mallam Nuhu Bamalli, I have endeavoured to promote at every opportunity.

“There is no greater time to enhance and promote the institution of traditional leadership than as an Emir. We therefore make a pledge to you today of our intention to continue the good works of all our predecessors, most notably the late Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris,  whose long reign of close to 46 years brought enormous changes and development to Zazzau Emirate. I intend to build on his legacy as well as adapt methodologies to reflect modern times, by embracing technology and communication in order to keep up with the rapid changes taking place all around us. We intend to do this without losing the essence of our traditions and practices.

“I would like to thank the Kaduna State Government for its tireless efforts in undertaking a great number of public works under the stewardship of His Excellency The Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El Rufai. These works and policies have positively impacted the people of Zazzau Emirate. We look forward to working closely with Your Excellency in our efforts to improve the condition of our people,” Emir Bamalli said.

Dignitaries in attendance at the Coronation ceremony include; The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, former Vice President, Architect Mohammed Namadi Sambo, Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Umar Ibn Garbai El-kenemi, Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwanu Adamu and Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Edward Onoja, among others.

Ambassador Bamalli, who is of the Malawa ruling house, succeeds Alhaji Shehu Idris of Katsinawa ruling house, who ruled for 45 years.