How Emir returned to Kano in pomp and style Category: NEWSROYALE Published on Sunday, 06 October 2013 05:00 Written by Isma’il Mudashir, Kano Hits: 27 When the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero left for United Arab Emirates, Dubai, on a medical trip in early July this year, only few persons were aware. But when his stay there dragged for months, his absence became the subject of discussion in public places across the ancient city of Kano. His absence, which to some extent paralysed traditional activities in the state, created apprehension among the Emir’s subjects, the entire people of the state and the traditional institution in the North as the news of the emir’s health was sketchy throughout the better part of his medical sojourn. Throughout the medical trip, our correspondent observed that activities around the Emir’s palace which often light up the ancient city were put on hold. The trip was the longest since the commencement of the reign of the reverred monarch 50 years ago. The famous durbar which is usually staged at the end of the Ramadan fast was cancelled, no thanks to the ill-health of the emir. This is the second time that the popular traditional event which attracts patrons from across the country and beyond was cancelled in the emir’s reign. The weekly ‘Gaisua Juma’ which affords the district heads and other personalities the opportunity to pay homage to the emir and give him account of the happenings in their domain was also affected by the emir’s absence. Though, the Wambam Kano, Alhaji Abbas Sanusi, the most senior councillor in the emirate was receiving people at his office in Kano Emirate Secretariat but that did not fill the vacuum created by the emir’s absence. However, early last week the news of the health condition of the emir started filtering across the town. First it was the Galadima Kano, Alhaji Tijjani Hashim that first broke the news on the state of the health of the emir. While featuring in a programme on local radio, he said the emir is recovering quickly and urged the people of the state to continue to pray for the monarch. The statement from the senior councillor doused the tension in the ancient city about the health condition of the emir. While the people are still ruminating on his disclosure last Sunday, the news of the proposed return of the emir dominated the ancient town. Not too long after the rumour, a circular to that effect was issued by the emirate council and the confirmation by an aide to the Kano state governor on emirate council, Alhaji Tijjani Mailafiya Sanka raised the expectation of the emir’s subjects. The arrival date and time was given as Wednesday October 2nd and 1pm. Last Wednesday from11a.m, dignitaries started moving to the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport from across the state but only those who were able to scale through the screening of the battle ready security personnel stationed at the entrance of the Airport were allowed in. It was observed that soldiers and policemen dotted the airport and its surrounding as thousands of residents mount surveillance for the arrival of the emir even outside the airport. Inside the Airport, dignitaries from across all divides in the country braved the scorching sun and assembled outside the VIP lounge of the Airport as its capacity was overstretched around 1pm. Our correspondent observed that when it was1pm on the dot and the aircraft that was conveying the emir didn’t land, the faces of personalities and the emir’s subjects became moody. It was a moment of silence, fear and apprehension. The atmosphere was tense. Except for the popular ‘Haske Fada’ all other palace staff, including the ‘Kakakis’, were quiet, eagerly awaiting the emir’s arrival. The Haske Fada was busy going round throwing banters at people, especially district heads. For instance, when newsmen approached the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk, who was also at the airport, for interview, he rebuffed them, saying, “allow us to see the Emir first or what do you want me to say”. However, the airport began bubbling when a presidential jet was sighted in the air around 4.20pm and when the aircraft landed and it was confirmed that the emir was inside, the Kakakis started blowing their traditional trumpet. In no time, the whole airport became lively and the chanting of ‘Baba Oyoyo’ rant the air. Thus, the moody atmosphere was replaced by jubilation. From the airport, the jubilation affected the whole ancient city as people who had been waiting for the arrival of the traditional ruler thronged out in large numbers to major streets in Kano metropolis. Disembarking from the presidential jet with registration number 5N-FGV, the emir, was clad in white brocade and traditional regalia, used his staff to acknowledge cheers from hundreds of traditional rulers and politicians that were at the airport to receive him. Flanked by his son, Nasir and Wambam Kano, Alhaji Abbas Sanusi, the emir, after taking few steps from the plane, entered his Rolls Royce, the posh car which was brought very close to the aircraft. Prominent personalities at the airport included Emir of Ringim, Sayyid Mahmoud; a high-powered delegation of Ooni of Ife, Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi; popular Kano based business tycoon, Alhaji Aminu Dantata and many other traditional rulers. Kano state government delegation was also at the airport. Speaking to newsmen at the airport, one of the emir’s sons, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero thanked the people of the state for their prayers towards the recovery of the emir. “We are thanking God for the recovery of the emir and his return. The recovery of the emir shows that God has answered the numerous prayers of the people of Kano state. After thanking God, we are also thanking our people for the prayers but this is not the end of the prayers. We need prayers and we are appealing to all our people to continue to pray for the country and its leaders,” he said. Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Kano state governor on Emirate Affairs, Alhaji Tijjani Mailafiya Sanka expressed the happiness of the state government on the return of the emir. “We thank God for the return of the emir. He came out from the plane walking and acknowledging greetings from the people that trooped out to receive him,” he said. In his address, leader of the delegation of Oni of Ife, Alhaji Mashood Abimbola said they were in Kano to receive the emir, who he described as a close ally of Oni of Ife. Our correspondent reports that residents of the state trooped out to major streets where the emir followed to his palace at Kofar Kudu chanting ‘Sai Baba’, referring to the 83-year-old monarch.
Posted on: Sun, 06 Oct 2013 19:56:31 +0000
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