From Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has conferred traditional titles on 13 eminent Nigerians as part of activities marking the 20th anniversary of his ascension to the throne of the Sokoto Caliphate.
The colourful turbaning ceremony, held on Sunday at the Sultanate Palace in Sokoto, attracted prominent traditional rulers, government officials, members of the National Assembly, Islamic scholars, business leaders and thousands of well-wishers.
The investiture, which took place between 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., was followed by a traditional Durbar and Bukin Aski, adding colour and cultural significance to the celebration.
Among those honoured were former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, who received the title of Kuliyan Sokoto, and former Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Dr Peter Igho, turbaned as Kakakin Sokoto.
Others include Gandi Umar, Esq., as Sarkin Galmar Sarkin Musulmi; Prof. Mansur Ibrahim as Danmasanin Sokoto; Alhaji Murtala Abdulkadir Dan’iya as Dallatun Sokoto; and Abdulkadir Jeli Bello as Sarkin Fuloti Sokoto.
The remaining honourees are Abubakar Saddique Abubakar, Sarkin Dawakin Tsakar Gida Sokoto; Shehu Usman Abubakar, Fagacin Sokoto; Hon. Bello Idris, Wakilin Tarihin Daular Usmaniyya; Hon. Ibrahim Almustapha Aliyu Rabah, Bauran Sokoto; Aminu Isa Buhari, Danmalikin Sokoto; Dr Balarabe Kakale Shehu Shuni, Wakilin Makarantar Daular Usmaniyya; and Abubakar Hussaini Bazza, Sarkin Bai Sokoto.
Activities marking the anniversary began on Friday, October 30, with special Islamic preaching sessions at Abu Huraira Mosque in the Polo Club area of Sokoto. Eleven prominent Islamic scholars, including Sheikh Dr Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa and Prof. Abdullahi Usman Gadon Kaya, delivered sermons focusing on peace, unity and development.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, committees associated with the titles of Dallatun Sokoto and Danmasanin Sokoto also undertook humanitarian initiatives, including securing the release of 56 inmates from correctional facilities and providing assistance to 500 patients across hospitals in Sokoto State.
Dr Balarabe Kakale, the newly turbaned Wakilin Makarantar Daular Usmaniyya, described the ceremony as a major highlight of the celebration of the Sultan’s 20 years on the throne.
Sultan Abubakar III ascended the throne on November 2, 2006, and has become the third Sultan in the history of the Sokoto Caliphate to mark 20 years of reign.
He follows his father, Sultan Siddiq Abubakar III, who ruled from 1938 to 1988, and his great-great-grandfather, Sultan Muhammadu Bello, son of Shehu Usman Dan Fodio, who reigned from 1817 to 1837.
During his two decades on the throne, the Sultan has played prominent roles in strengthening Islamic institutions, promoting religious education and scholarship, and encouraging cooperation between traditional and religious institutions.
He also serves as President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI).
Other areas of focus during his reign include Islamic social finance through Zakat and Waqf, Almajiri and alternative education reforms, girl-child education, primary healthcare, maternal health and peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians.
His initiatives have also included the documentation and digitalisation of Sokoto Caliphate literature through an electronic library and QR codes for publications by Shehu Usman Dan Fodio and other founders of the Caliphate.
The Sultan has equally supported agricultural development, livestock value chains and national and international partnerships aimed at promoting peace and human development.
One of the prominent recipients, Hon. Arc. Ibrahim Almustapha Aliyu, who represents Wurno/Rabah Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, was turbaned as Bauran Sokoto.
Aliyu, born on August 20, 1973, in Sokoto, is an architect who obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Architecture from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He also holds a diploma in Urban and Economic Development from Galilee College, Israel.
He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Architects and the Institute of Management Consultants.
At the National Assembly, he has served in several leadership capacities, including Chairman of the House Committee on Alternative Education, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Urban Development and Regional Planning, and Chairman of the Special Ad-hoc Committee on Petroleum Subsidy Regime.
He also chairs the Nigeria-Hungary Parliamentary Friendship Group in the 10th National Assembly.
Outside the legislature, Aliyu has been involved in the design and supervision of several major projects, including the passenger terminal and protocol lounge at Sultan Abubakar III International Airport, Wamakko Grand Jumaat Mosque, Sokoto International Conference Centre and the Sokoto High Court of Justice.
He has also contributed to mass housing projects across the state’s 23 local government areas.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, was among the dignitaries who attended the ceremony.
Speaking after receiving his traditional title, Aliyu expressed appreciation to the Sultan for the honour, saying the recognition would encourage him to sustain his philanthropic activities and provide quality representation to his constituents.
The ceremony was widely regarded by attendees as a celebration of service, merit and commitment to the Sokoto Caliphate, with speakers commending the Sultan’s leadership and contributions to religious harmony, national unity and peaceful coexistence.
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