• President Buhari Urges Him to Emulate Dad, Late Kano Emir
  • Emir Unfolds Plans For the Young Emirate, To Move It Forward
  • Bichi Residents’ Expectations, Messages For the Emir

By Amos Tauna

Saturday, 21st August, 2021, was indeed a day to be remembered by residents of Bichi Emirate in Kano state when Alhaji Nasir Ado Bayero was coronated and presented with the staff of office as the second Emir of Bichi. Staff of office is a symbol of official recognition by the Kano state government to fully take over the mantle of leadership in the Bichi Emirate to lead the people in the preservation of their customs and traditions; and to ensure sanity and draw the people closer to government for the sustenance of peace, unity and development in the Emirate.

Observers have truly explained that it will take a long time in the history of the Emirate to witness such mammoth crowds of people from all walks of life to come far and near to identify themselves with the Emir.

The number one citizen of the country, President Muhammadu Buhari, who was personally present the previous day, Friday, 20th August, 2021, to witness the wedding Fatiha of his son, Yusuf and Zahra, the daughter of the Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Nasir

Ado Bayero was ably represented by his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, recalled with nostalgia, how the late Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, who he described as a distinctive character, who almost lost his life prematurely on 19th January 2013 because of his vociferous stand against the Boko Haram terrorists.

President Buhari adviced the Emir of Bichi to embibe the character of his late father in his contributions towards ridding the nation of divisiveness and unite the people, especially at this time when the nation is in its most trying moment as a result of the unending insecurity challenges that is threatening its corporate survival as a sovereign nation.

The President, who drew the attention of the Emir of what is desired of him urged him to sit up and contribute positively as the prevailing circumstances of the nation impose a demand on leaders to display their qualities and work earnestly for continued peace and unity in every part of the country.

President Buhari confessed, “Your turbanning at a providential time like this in the history of our country when the prevailing social and socioeconomic conditions have created an opportunity for emerging leaders to display their qualities and work earnestly for continued peace and unity. Your father, my friend the late Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, was a symbol of unity, not only within his Kingdom but also within Northern Nigeria and the whole country.”

President Buhari said that when Nigerians remember Ado Bayero, they remember unity, simplicity and good leadership, he described late Alhaji Ado Bayero as a true leader, who devoted his life to unify the nation.

President Buhari added on late Ado Bayero, “I remember with nostalgia, the passion and commitment he always exhibited in the pursuit of anything he believed in, a distinctive character that almost cost him his life prematurely on 19th January 2013 because of his vociferous stand against the Boko Haram terrorists.”

President Buhari is of the belief that the new Emir would exhibit similar qualities and even much more, as he has begun to exhibit within the few months of his reign in Bichi Emirate.

The President, while expressing his deep and wholehearted congratulations, assured that he will continue to pray for the success of the Emir and looks forward to his contributions ‘to uplifting the people of his emirate and Nigerians in general and vowed that his administration will work assiduously with the nation’s traditional institutions in making Nigeria great.

President Buhari admitted that the traditional institutions are veritable tools in reaching the grassroots and therefore, their importance cannot be overemphasized. He expressed confidence that the Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Nasir Ado Bayero’s reign will improve commerce and industry in the Bichi Emirate, Kano State and the country in general.

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the chief host, also expressed optimism that Bichi Emirate is on the track to rapid socio-economic development with the coronation of His Highness, Alhaji Muhammad Nasir Ado Bayero as the second Emir of Bichi.

Ganduje, on Saturday, who presented the Staff-of-office to Emir Nasir Ado Bayero, formally confirmed him as a First Class Emir and the second Emir of Bichi. Emir Nasir Ado Bayero took over from his elder brother, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, who was moved from the Bichi Emirate to become the 15th Emir of Kano, following the dethronement of the 14th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, who Governor Ganduje said he was loquacious, uncultured and lacked the qualities of ideal traditional rulers to be on such a worldly respected throne.

Governor Ganduje said that he was over-joyed that in less than two months, Kano was witnessing the coronation of three Emirs, recalling that the Emir of Kano and the Emir of Rano, were recently coronated.

Governor Ganduje emphasized, “I am so over-joyed to take part in another historic event, the coronation of another first-class Emir, Alhaji Nasir Ado Bayero, the second Emir of Bichi.”

Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje described the Emir of Bichi as a distinguished technocrat, banker and entrepreneur, saying, “Considering his royal pedigree and extraordinary leadership qualities, I am persuaded that Bichi will develop under Nasir Ado Bayero as Emir.”

Governor Ganduje strictly believed that his administration is committed to the promotion of the traditional institution, and enjoined the Emir to use his position to promote peace and ensure development in Bichi, putting to bear, his wealth of experience in the business world to the overall benefit of his subjects and the people of Kano state and Nigeria as a whole. He also urged the Emir to play the role of a father for all and desist from controversial issues, capable of promoting hate and crisis in his Emirate.

The governor prayed to God to grant Emir Nasir Ado Bayero wisdom and good health to reign successfully.

The Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alhaji Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar 111, while congratulating the second Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Nasir Ado Bayero, urged him to lead justly and equitably to all and sundry for the service of humanity. He prayed that God will guide the Emir in the way his forefathers ruled equitably and justly.

The Sultan, however, urged members of the society to continue praying for peace and tranquillity to reign in this part of the country. He commended Governor Ganduje for providing democratic dividends to the people and thanked him for giving huge support to the traditional institution.

The Chief Imam of Bichi, Khalifa Malam Lawal administered the Oath of Office on Emir Nasir Ado Bayero, followed by decoration of full traditional regalia by the Madakin Bichi, Alhaji Nura Shehu Ahmad.

The twelve-gun salutes which added fanfare to the coronation ceremony was a sign of confirmation that Emir Nasir Ado Bayero has fully taken charge of the Bichi Emirate, promoting a royal display of his Staff-of-Office formally presented by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

The occasion which took place at the Bichi stadium attracted men from all walks of life including top politicians, technocrats, business moguls, captains of industry, administrators, religious leaders traditional rulers and even the talakawa (common people).

Among the long list of dignitaries who attended the occasion in the agrarian community of Bichi include governors of Kogi and Niger States, Chief of Staff to President Buhari, Prof. Ibrahim Agboola Gambari who led the presidential delegation, comprising of Minister of Defence, Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Aviation, Minister of Water Resources, and Senior Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media, Malam Garba Shehu.

Former Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, Honourary Consul of the Benin Republic in Nigeria, Ambassador Muktar Ali Daura, Sardaunan Rano and leader of House of Representatives, Alhaji Alhassan Ado Doguwa who represented Speaker of House of Representatives, Sultan of Sokoto, Shehu of Borno, Ooni of Ife, Emir of Kano, and many traditional rulers were also present to witness the occasion.

The mammoth crowds that gathered especially residents of Bichi town and beyond was a sign that the Emir Nasir Ado Bayero is loved and supported by his people and indication that the people truly believed his (Emir’s) capability to take the people to greater heights in his domain, Kano state and the country in general.

 

The Emir’s Plans for Bichi Youth:

The Emir of Bichi while speaking in both the coronation lecture and the presentation of staff of office assured of his readiness to carry the youths along in programs that will take them off the streets as the means to totally separate them from idleness that gives room to all forms of social vices in the society.

With the graduation of the digital education and entrepreneurship initiative, the Emir left no stone unturned towards ensuring  that the youth of his Emirate take education seriously. He charged the people to send their children to school and promised that the Emirate will do it’s best to improve the education and quality of life of the people.

He also appealed to the people to help him fight against desertification and promised to carry everybody along and ensure the security of lives and property thereby enabling a conducive environment for the youths to explore their full potentials in the Emirate.

The Emir employed the people especially youths who are the future of tomorrow to report any strange movement to security agencies as a means to secure the emirate against enemies of progress, stressing that security is everybody’s business as it paves way for people to go about their normal businesses.

True to his words, the Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Nasir Ado Bayero, has what it takes to successfully carry out his plans to the people of his Emirate especially the youth, who are the leaders of tomorrow. The antecedent of the Emir speaks volumes for himself that he will do even more than he has said. The only thing needed is the cooperation of the youth towards the realization of his noble plans for the area.

At the age of 30, his father, Alhaji Ado Bayero gave him (Nasir) his first royal task as the Tafidan Kano and District Head of Tarauni. That was on the 6th May 1994; and he was elevated on the 30th of June, 2000, to the position of Turakin Kano and District Head of Tarauni. However, in May 2007, he was transferred from Tarauni to Nassarawa, as district head and on November 2, he was elevated to the post of Ciroman Kano and member of the Kano Emirate Council while still serving as the District Head of Nassarawa.

The resounding successes of Alhaji Nasir Ado Bayero in these offices are attested to by the tremendous growth and development of these communities under his stewardship.

His Highness, the Emir of Bichi worked with the Continental Merchant Bank, Nigeria, before he moved to Coastal Corporation Oil and Gas in Houston, Texas and Hamlet Investment Ltd in London. He later worked with the Presidency as an Administrative Officer.

As an accomplished entrepreneur and consummate manager of people and business, he sits on the board of several businesses. Prominent amongst these are SELAT Petroleum (Nigerian independent producer), Platform Petroleum Limited (Nigerian independent producer), Intels (Oilfields) Services Nigeria Limited, which is the largest marine logistics company in Nigeria.

He is also the chairman of Enclo Limited, a Nigerian company providing currency operations support services and security document design and printing solutions to the Central Bank of Nigeria and other financial institutions.

His Highness, the Emir of Bichi also chairs the board of Misana Energy Resources Limited, an E and P company; 9mobile Nigeria Limited, just as he has served as director in several local and international companies.

Looking at the background of the Emir of Bichi, Alhaji Nasir Ado Bayero, therefore, planning good for the youths of Bichi Emirate will no doubt not be a doubting task in view of his leadership, educational and business connections. The youth of his Emirate are, no doubt, lucky to have such leader at the helm of affairs in the area.

 

Bichi residents’ expectations/ message to the Emir:

Alhaji Nasir Ado Bayero, has, within a short time of his leadership as the number one citizen of Bichi Emirate, left no one in doubt of his sincerity and total commitment of living a legacy for future generations to imbibe that will positively go a long way towards ensuring the Emirate which is made up of nine (9) local government areas, be a pace setter for others to follow in all spheres of life.

A visit to Bichi town some few days to the presentation of staff of office to the Emir, Alhaji Nasir Ado Bayero leaves one to the reality of life that residents of the town have absolute confidence in their Emir as a true leader that has his people at heart. No wonder that the expression of some of the residents who were eagerly waiting of any opportunity to express their feelings of the style of leadership of Alhaji Nasir Ado Bayero as their traditional ruler to whoever comes their way is a very true reflection that what the people wanted in terms of representation is what they got in their Emir.

However, recall that the first Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the first traditional ruler in the Emirate also according to people’s opinion did well within his short stay as the Emir of Bichi. Many of them prayed that God in His infinite mercies continue to bless the former Emir with wisdom and understanding in the new assignment he presently handles as the Emir of Kano and state chairman, Kano state Council of Chiefs.

Residents of Bichi, prior to the presentation of staff of office to their Emir by the Kano state Governor, Alhaji Ganduje, stakeholders shared their views on the Emir. According to Alhaji Sani Hassan, an elder described the Emir of Bichi as a true son of his father, late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, who was straight forward in his style of leadership and a man who wanted and worked tirelessly for the unity, peace, understanding and progress of the entire people of the state. He believed that Alhaji Nasir Ado Bayero has truly taken after his father in desiring the best for his people.

He said, “Within a short time of his leadership, we continued to experience peace and understanding among the various people in the Emirate, this goes to show that we are fortunate to have somebody in his position as the Emir of Bichi because right from time immemorial, Bichi town has witnessed absolute peace and his coming to power has further enhanced the cordial relationship we have been having with one another because he (Emir of Bichi) keeps emphasising the need for peace among all, irrespective of any difference. Honestly, it is this peace that has been keeping us. Our people here in Bichi go about their business without any molestation from any quarter.

Alhaji Sani Hassan said they expect the Emir to continue with the good works he has started believing that the entire people in the Emirate are in support of his style of leadership which they believe he is out to give the people hope with the giant strides he has started.

The elder-statesmen employed the Emir to use his good relationship with the government to attract development to all the local government areas in the Emirate. “I strongly believed that in the near future the Emirate will definitely wear a new look that will attract foreigners to come to the Emirate to invest for the overall development of the area.”

According to Alhaji Bello Shittu, the leader of Yoruba people resident in Bichi strongly thanked the Emir of Bichi for the wisdom he has applied in taking the people along in the and in ensuring that there is peaceful coexistence among the various groups of people.

According to him, since he knew Bichi town, there has been absolute peace and harmonious relationship among the different ethnic groups and the inhabitants of the area, adding that with the coming of the Emir, they have enjoyed peace and understanding among themselves because anytime they meet with the Emir, his emphasis is on peace and unity of the people in the Emirate.

He said, “The Emir seems to understand the immediate need of the people and honestly, he has taken it upon himself to carry everybody along in the affairs of the area. The Emirate has begun to experience new developments courtesy the Emir, who work tirelessly to enhance the living standards of the people.”

He added, “My message to the Emir is to continue in what he has started because with what he has started, I am of the opinion that in no distant time, Bichi Emirate will no doubt be the best in Kano state in terms of peace, unity and development.

“My prayers is that may God continue to keep him in good health, wisdom to faithfully carry on with the noble ideas he has for the people of Bichi.”

An elder statesman, Mallam Lawan Mai Nasara hailed the leadership style of the Emir since assuming office as the Emir of Bichi. He noted that the Emir has proven to be a leader with listening ear to the cry of his people, saying, “The Emir has proven to me to be a listening leader who abides by what his people discuss with him and fully put into practice for the overall development of his subjects. This is to me a good leader and my expectation is that may he continue to have good health because l can see in him a leader that will take us to greater heights in our quest for good things in the entire Bichi Emirate.”

“My message to the Emir is for him continue to be patient with us, his subjects because truly, it is not easy to deal with human beings of different backgrounds. My joy is that he ( Emir) comes from royal house that right from childhood, he has learned from his father (Alhaji Ado Bayero) who led the entire people of Kano state for years without any problem. I strongly believe that the present Emir has what it takes to successfully lead the people in the right direction that is expected of any good leader.,” he said.

Alhaji Lawan Iliyasu Mai Goro expressed joy and prayed that God will continue to be with the Emir in all his endeavours with sound health to be able to carry out the task of leading the people aright. He noted that Bichi has a good history, saying that what he has seen of the Emir is his desire to continue to explore ways of making the entire Emirate a befitting place for all.

According to him, he expects the people to cooperate with the Emir for the realization of his noble intention for the people. He believed that with cooperation, peace and unity in the Emirate, good things will come the way of the people. With peaceful coexistence in Bichi Emirate, he expressed the belief that greater things will be achieved in the Emirate. He therefore urged the people to fully support and pray for the Emir for God’s wisdom and understanding to move on as a people.

Malam Ishaq Abubakar, leader of Tijjaniyya sect, said they will continue to pray for God’s direction in the affairs of the Emirate. He expressed confidence that with Alhaji Nasir Ado Bayero as the Emir, good things will begin to unfold in the area only with the cooperation of the people.

Hajiya Kubra Abubakar, thanked God for directing the affairs of the area through the leadership of Alhaji Nasir Ado Bayero, the Emir of Bichi, whom he described as a visionary leader that has what it takes to successfully lead the Emirate to realise it’s full potentials.

She also enjoined the people to support the Emir for better things to come the way of Bichi Emirate. She expressed confidence that with the support of the people, the Bichi Emirate will really go places for the benefits of the people of the Emirate.

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