• Excitement in Kebbi as Abdullahi, 42nd Emir of Yauri, clocks 25
From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
At a time when other thrones are boiling in turmoil for straying into politics, the stool of the 42nd Emir of Yauri, Muhammad Zayyanu Abdullahi, is waxing stronger. He recently celebrated his 25th year on the throne.
It was an amazing occasion of religion, culture, tolerance and authority, exemplifying the very best of monarchy in Northern Nigeria. In attendance were residents including Yoruba, Igbo, Igala, Fulani and Nupe. There were also fellow monarchs, business tycoons and top government functionaries within and outside the state.
Abdullahi, former Vice-Chancellor, of Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto (UDUS), the son of Sarki Abdullahi Dan Jubrin Dan Abarshi, was born in 1946, He lost his mother three weeks after his birth and became an orphan at the age of eight.
Vice-Chancellor, Alkalam University, Kastina State, Nasiru Musa Yauri, noted that despite the death of his father in 1955, the prince did not stray from his quest of becoming an erudite scholar: “Recent studies by human resource experts had shown that the formative experience of orphans leads to some desired traits and characteristics, which eventually pave way for them to becoming successful people.
“Such traits included charismatic personality with a positive attitude, robust commitment to excellence, ability to handle stressful situations, becoming undaunted by formidable challenges, keen attention to critical success factors, healthy regard for others, intuitive sense of timeless and insatiable appetite for learning.
“History has it that his father built a special room in the homestead of the young Zayyanu’s grandmother, which was decorated and furnished in the standard of princes and for the comfort of his son.
“Still yearning for the presence of his son in the palace, Sarki Dan Abarshi later relocated his son to the Jerabana Palace to allow him to grow under his watch. The early history of the young Muhammad Zayyanu continued till about eight years when his father died. His mother had died as earlier mentioned.
“Abdullahi started his educational career as an Islamic pupil at the Madras of Sheikh Salga, Yauri, where he studied Quran, Islamic Jurisprudence and was imbued with the Islamic moralities and the fear of God.
“He joined the services of UDUS as an Assistant Lecturer and rose through the ladder to become Vice-Chancellor of the university from 1994 to 1998.
“He applies wisdom and knowledge to rule the emirate. The core of his philosophy is Yauri first. He loves his people and he is committed to their welfare. For the sake of Yauri, he can leave his palace and traverse the length and breadth of Nigeria.
“Whenever there is a problem, he goes out looking for the solutions. This is the mind set of a Philosopher-King, who believes that the greatest responsibilities of a leader are to his people.”
Nasiru challenged the Department of History of the university to compile the biography of the emir: “His three cardinal agenda are economy, education and entrepreneurship.”
Chief of Staff to President, Femi Gbajabiamila, described the celebrant as an epitome of simplicity and humanity. Represented by his Chief of Staff, Sanusi Garba Rikiji, he noted that the monarch has continued to record remarkable achievements in the emirate.
Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Tanko Sununu, said the emir brought elites in the emirate together irrespective of class, political party and ideology.
Governor Nasir Idris, represented by Deputy Speaker, State Assembly, Samaila Bagudo, said the administration would continue to partner with the emirate to bring about more developmental projects to the area.
The emir appreciated the people for their support, advising them especially elite and farmers to stay united and grow more crops for the posterity of the emirate.
