… As son wears crown
By Hillary Asemota
President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday extolled the virtues of Alhaji Ado Bayero, the late Emir of Kano, describing him as a man of remarkable culture and principles, who staked his own life at several junctures in the defense of his people and urged his son and new Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero to copy the example of his father.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Ibrahim Pantami and the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, have rejoiced with Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero on his coronation as the 15th Emir of Kano.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, in a statement made available to the media, made the disclosure in a letter the President sent to the Emir at his coronation ceremony read and presented by the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, CFR, who is also an uncle to the new Emir, President Buhari shared some memories and anecdotes of his interactions with the late Emir whom he said was his friend.
“I remember with nostalgia, the passion and commitment he always exhibited in pursuit of any cause he believed in, a distinctive character that almost cost him his life prematurely on January 19th, 2013 because of his vociferous stand against Boko Haram terrorists,” said the President.
The President expressed his belief in Aminu Ado Bayero, saying, “I have confidence that you would exhibit such leadership qualities and much more as you have demonstrated in the few months of your Emirship.”
In the letter as delivered by the special delegation, President Buhari extended “deep and wholehearted congratulations to you for your ascension to the throne of you fore-fathers as the 15th Fulani Emir of Kano from Sullubawa Clan, culminating in a well-deserved installation scheduled to take place on Saturday, 3rd July, 2021.”
He added that “your turbaning is providential because it is happening at a time in the history of our country when prevailing social and political conditions resonate with the ascension to the throne of my friend, your late father, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero. May his soul Rest In Peace.”
The President prayed for the success of the Emir, saying he looked forward to his contributions to uplifting the people of Kano Emirate in particular and the nation in general, assuring him of his “total support for you to leave a sustainable legacy.”
Those who accompanied the Chief of Staff on the President’s delegation to the event included Ministers of Defense, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd), Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, Water Resources, Engineer Sulaiman Adamu, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika as well as the Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media and Publicity), Garba Shehu and Yusuf Buhari, the President’s son.
Danbatta, who hails from Danbatta Local Government Area of Kano State, paid homage to the Emir, at the week end congratulated him in his personal capacity and also deliver a similar congratulatory message on behalf of the Minister, Board of Commissioners and the entire staff of the Commission.
The NCC boss, said: “On behalf of the Board, Management and staff of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), I heartily felicitate with Your Highness and the Kano Emirate Council on your coronation and presentation of Staff of Office as the 15th Emir of Kano”.
He said the Commission, while rejoicing with the monarch, also prays that peace, progress and prosperity continue to be the hallmark of his reign.
“As we delightfully share in the bliss of this historic event with Your Highness and the good people of Kano Emirate, we also pray for Almighty Allah’s (SWT) health, wisdom and guidance as you receive the staff of office,” he added.
Meanwhile, the EVC noted that the Commission will continue to work with traditional institutions towards advancing the course of telecommunications infrastructure deployment for the rapid socio-economic development of their communities.
“In the matrix of our stakeholder engagement, traditional rulers are the closest to people at the grassroots and therefore play a very important role.
“The Commission, therefore believes by working closely with the traditional rulers, we stand a better chance to seek understanding from the locales towards creating the needed conducive environment for telcos to build their telecoms infrastructure in their domains, thereby extending telecoms services that will transform the lives of the people,” he added.
