70 royal garlands for Etsu Nupe at 70

It is 70 royal garlands for Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, the Chairman of the Niger state Council of Traditional Rulers as he clocks 70 years on Monday September 12, 2022.

In Nupe land and across Niger state and the country in general, subjects and admirers of the revered monarch will be rolling out the drums to celebrate the royal father whose 19-year-reign on the throne has brought peace and tranquility.

Sons and daughters of Nupe Kingdom, including the low and the high  as well as well-wishers across the globe, will, no doubt, throng Bida, the traditional headquarters of Nupe Kingdom to celebrate the quintessential monarch of his time.

Leading thousands of others to celebrate the royal father, Niger state Governor Abubakar Sani Bello described Etsu Nupe as a true, loving, courageous and peaceful leader, adding, “he is also a bridge builder whose immense contribution to the unity and peaceful coexistence and development of the society is reckoned with in the state, nationally and internationally.”

“The reign of Etsu Nupe in the last 19 years has brought about harmonious coexistence and promoted the rich cultural heritage of the Nupe Kingdom. You are no doubt a gift to the society,” Sani Bello remarked.

While acknowledging the fatherly role and wise counsels of the monarch, Governor Sani Bello said the royal father has continued to inspire individuals, government and Non-Governmental organisations.

He noted that his 19 years on the throne has positively impacted the  subjects, saying Etsu Nupe  instilled patriotism and understanding among the people of his domain through his widespread consultations and reach, including the promotion of the cultural values of the Nupe-speaking people in Nigeria and beyond.

The governor prayed God to grant the celebrant “good health and more wisdom as he continues to deliver efficient and rewarding leadership to his subjects.”

Profile

The royal father  was born in Bida into the Usman Zaki ruling house of the Bida Emirate in Niger state  September 12, 1952.

He attended Government College Sokoto and later Commercial College, Kano from 1967 to 1971 before enrolling into the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna from 1973 to 1975 to commence a fulfilling military career.

Before his appointment as the 13th Etsu Nupe September 11, 2003, the royal father excelled in his military career, serving the nation in various capacities in the Army. He rose through the ranks in the military to a Brigadier General before he retired to ascend the throne of his forefathers. As a disciplined and dedicated military officer, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar maintained constant and very healthy contacts with his roots as the Kosodu Nupe, a development that endeared him to his subjects.

As a brilliant military officer, the monarch held several military positions and commands within and outside the country. However, the royal father is said to be having fond memories of his time as Commanding Officer (NIBATT 27 ECOMOG) between August 1996 and July 1998 in the war-torn Liberia. He also served as commander Multi National Task Force (MNJTF) Lake Chad region from August 1999 to January 2002 before his appointment as the Director Peace Keeping Operations at Army Headquarters (AHQ) Abuja July 2003, about two months before ascending the throne.

His reign

The 70th birthday anniversary of his royal father has also provided ample opportunity to highlight some remarkable achievements of his 19-year-reign. Available records show that prior to his ascension to the throne, the Nupe Kingdom had several cases of inter-communal skirmishes, including that land and fish ponds disputes.

And giving his military background and combined with some diplomacy, the new monarch immediately directed all traditional rulers, including village and district heads within the chiefdom to initiate peace meetings and revert  to Wadata Palace. 

It was learnt that several peace and reconciliatory meetings with warring communities were held and successful agreements reached for peaceful co-existence among the communities. Locals from such communities attested to the fact that they embraced peace and have been living together since then without animosity of any type.

Apart from inaugurating several peace committees, the royal father has, during events and traditional meetings,  consistently admonished his subjects to maintain peace and harmony, and  also tolerate each other, including showing hospitality to visitors. 

Observers are also of the belief that the monarch has done well in the area of ensuring harmonious living among adherents of the two religions in Nupe land, Niger state and the nation at large. One of his remarkable achievements in this regard was the handling of the issue of Alhaji Muhammadu Bello Masaba- the man that was famous for marrying 85 wives in Bida.

In his wisdom, the monarch set up a five-man Islamic Scholars Committee to handle the matter which at that time, was drawing serious religious attention. Again, Etsu Nupe is known to have been a member and even chaired several peace committees at the national level.

In the years ahead, the monarch will certainly put his wisdom and experience acquired both at the level of the military and traditional sphere in the service of his people to further make their lives better. Long Live Baagadozhi….