Following their appointment by the state government last year, the four new Emirs received their staff of office in a colourful ceremony that attracted large gathering in Kano. BASHIR MOHAMMED reports.
Saturday June 19, 2021 was a crucial day in the history of the ancient Rano town in Kano state as it marked the day the new Emir of Rano, Alhaji Muhammad Kabiru Inuwa, was presented with the staff of office as one of the Emirs appointed by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje in the wake of the creation of additional four new emirates in Kano.The installation ceremony was attended by eminent personalities from all walks of life, comprising revered traditional title holders, the academia and business class as a proof that the decision by Governor Ganduje to add flavour to the traditional institution in the state was a commendable one.Expectedly, the level of enthusiasm exhibited by the people of Rano Emirate, one of the erstwhile seven Hausa states, made personalities at the occasion to see the wonders of the ceremony.
I’m fulfilled now – Ganduje
Speaking at the installation ceremony, Governor Ganduje stated that the event was in fulfilment of his mission to ensure that the new emirates come to stay despite the apprehension and cynicism exhibited by those who were not pleased with the development.
Emir commends Ganduje
On his part, the new Emir, Alhaji Inuwa told the audience that he was ready to be held responsible for whatever he does whether good or bad while in the saddle of leadership. He affirmed that he is ready to be brought on his knees in a situation he fails to live up to expectations.From whichever angle one looks at it, Governor Ganduje is poised to make a date with history, following his administration’s stance in creating new emirates in the state as part of finding ways of transforming Kano to the next level in the present democratic dispensation in the country.He undoubtedly came on board with a mission to serve humanity with diligence, commitment and total sacrifice, knowing that the cosmopolitan state is in dire need of an all- encompassing change that would cut across all spheres of human interest. He believes that remaining static without effecting a paradigm shift would only turn the hand of the clock backwardUsing his knowledge of statecraft, the governor is of the views that new emirates with first class Emirs presiding over them is for the people to begin a new journey to the promise land as far as exploring new, viable avenues for socio-economic development is concerned.
Economic prosperity
The creation of Rano, Karaye, Gaya and Bichi emirates did not come to the people as a surprise knowing that series of agitations from various quarters most especially the rural areas had in the past been mounted on successive administrations to create new emirates.It was however the governor’s contention that the creation of the new emirates would be a major stepping stone in recording tremendous economic success and the much needed progress in making the rural populace to have a sense of belonging, having been bestowed with first class emirs to give them the much needed fatherly guidance in their defined role as custodians of cultural heritage.
Justification
According to the governor, it would be fool hardy for one to believe that the traditional institutions would crumble as a result of the creation of additional emirates, pointing out that there can be no sustainable development with a sprawling state like Kano to be left with only one emirate in the face of the growing population of the state.He said, “It is high time the people understood what we have done and that the decision taken was to create formidable leeway for socio-economic development. We have to consider the fact that our decision was not born out of personal vendetta to malign anyone. We see it as a way to forge ahead.”We should consider the indisputable fact that Kano is a vast and cosmopolitan state. We have the highest number of local government areas in the country; that is why there is the need for a paradigm shift. We cannot continue to have one emirate to take care of all the 44 local government areas in the state. We need more for sustainable development to succeed.”Go to other states and look at their monarchical structures; they are far ahead of us in terms of numerical strength. All along, we are grappling with one emirate. If we have more emirates, those living in the rural areas would find it easy to even celebrate Sallah festivities without tears.”If we are to listen to our critics on our resolve and good intention of creating new emirates, we would only end up making a mockery of ourselves. Traditional institutions are formidable bastion of development and progress. People rush to them in search of guidance and fatherly advice. They have the temerity and wisdom to guide everyone.”We should see ourselves as lovers of development and progress. Our ardent critics are crying wolf where there is none. It is high time we began to think out of the box. I can’t imagine the way and manner people are interpreting our good intention. Some are even saying that we have purposefully created the new emirates to malign some people we are not in good terms with. It is not true,” he remarked.”The issue of community policing would only be feasible with the new emirs taking the gauntlet. They are the ones closer to the rural populace. They are the ones to enlighten them on the need to understand our good intention. Without them, we would find it difficult to reach out to the rural folks. They have the spectacular role to play in consolidating our resolve in maintaining security for a lasting peace to prevail,” he affirmed.
Accolades
However with the creation of the new emirates eliciting discordant tune, the decision taken by Governor Ganduje in expanding the scope of monarchical influence in the state has been widely applauded by indigenes of the new emirates. This is in bearing in mind that it would foster the spirit of socio-economic development in addition to contributing to the quest for maintaining security and lasting peace.According to Malam Shehu Maaji of Rano Emirate, Governor Ganduje deserves accolades for what he had done. He stressed that allowing one emirate to hold sway would not be in the interest of the new emirates concerned.He noted that before the creation of Jigawa state out of the present Kano, the state operated with Emirs of Gumel, Hadejia and Kazaure with the Emir of Kano, the late Alhaji Ado Bayero as chairman, Kano Council of Chiefs until the state was divided into two.What is worth taking into cognizance according to him, is the fact that since the creation of Jigawa, no additional emirate council was created by successive administrations in Kano until Ganduje came to effect the change. He said it was a painful stride in the eyes of those who wanted the status quo to remain.”There is no reason one should not be joyful and happy with this development. The new emirates, to me, have the potentials of spurring speedy economic growth. One has no cogent reason to oppose it. opposing it could only be done on the altar of primordial interest.”One would only be myopic to think that the governor’s decision is to step on some people’s toes. The issue was wrongly viewed, so we need to forge ahead. With a single emirate, we cannot forge ahead. We must strive to move forward for the sake of achieving the goals of sustainable development,” he remarked.Speaking in the same vein, Malam Habibu Sulieman of the Karaye Emirate Council said, he was short of words to express his happiness knowing that development from all spheres of human interest have been brought to their door steps with the new Emir of Karaye appointed to preside over the affairs of the emirate. He added that with the pedigree of the monarch, the issue of security could be adequately tackled with his fatherly guidance and words of advice.According to Malam Nuhu Hakibu, he is of the views that the creation of Bichi Emirate among the four new emirates is most expedient, considering the calibre of eminent personalities that had hailed from the emirate, cutting across different strata ranging from the academia to business who are poised to contribute their widow’s mite to the development of the area widely seen to have the potential for economic and social development.What is however on the lips of many is how the new emirates would be allowed to wax stronger in the face of the prevailing economic crunch where all their official activities are expected to be funded by the state government.
