By Badamasi
S. Burji
“What I believe is that whatever happens to me on this earth is destined to happen to me by Almighty Allah. So, there is no point in showing any fear, as whatever happens to any person is already pre-destined to happen to him. Therefore, whenever such things happen, whether good or bad, what is required from that person is to thank Allah; it is for good, exercise patience.”-Alh.Dr Ado Bayero after being attacked in January 2013
The account of Sarkin Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, is indeed the story of the most influential, great monarch and a peace-loving leader whom various groups seek his blessings in their daily activities, largely because of his influence and the fact that he is one of the most respected Nigerians.
The late emir had hundreds of people that he was giving monthly stipends with his personal money especially the old.His children mingle with other children in the community in day to day activities, unlike other elite who cut off any form of relationship between their children and those of the poor.
He was a mentor of his people. He personally introduced me to many eminent personalities who gave me audience whenever the need arises. In fact, he counseled and treated me like his son. That was why I chose him to write the foreword on my book on General Hassan Usman Katsina, which the great man did;may his soul rest in peace.
I was opportune to conduct interviews with almost all Nigeria’s Heads of State in the cause of General Hassan Katsina Biography in the 1990s where they testified that Ado Bayero is among few royal and religious leaders that have never begged for any favour for themselves while in office. This shows that Ado Bayero was not the type that uses his office to solicit personal favours. Former Governor of Kaduna state Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar (rtd.) hardly spoke without praising the emir of Kano being that he knew my relationship and my deep respect for the late emir.
His death is not just a loss to the family but to the entire nation. In 2007, I requested permission from him to compile a 1000-page compendium titled “ADO BAYERO: The Most Revered In Africa”.My target was to compile all the palace visitors who signed or made comments and the emir’s visit since he became the emir. He encouraged me but when I realized the project needed helping hands, I involved Malam Garba Yusuf Izala, then a commissioner during Malam Ibrahim Shekarau administration, and Hon. Sa’adu Lili but later I suspended the project due to lack of time from them. Since then whenever I greet the emir I used to pray for God never to allow him to ask me about the project but he remembered and I received a letter from the palace where he requested us to meet Wambai to discuss what we needed in terms of support from the palace particularly materials.
He did everything humanly possible to support the socio-economic development of his people.
This encouraged investments and consolidated Kano’s commercial pre-eminence in northern Nigeria. Because of his status and the confidence they had in him, many investors came to Kano. A very recent example is the Ado Bayero Shopping Mall, the first ultra-modern shopping mall in northern Nigeria, a major private sector initiative with investors from all parts of Nigeria. It brought leading African retail giants; Shoprite and Game to Kano.
Takawa Dan Bayero will forever be remembered as a great ruler who brought considerable charisma to bear in evolving a peaceful and prosperous Emirate. For over half a century that he reigned in Kano witnessed massive growth and innovation in all spheres of human endeavours.
The late emir discharged his duties with equity and sense of justice. The late emir was a revered elder statesman and well-loved and dedicated leader.
During his lifetime, Ado Bayero displayed ability to forge relationship across ethnic and religious divides; a trait that deserves emulation by many of today’s leaders. All Africa.com, one of the leading African news websites, described him as Nigeria’s “most prominent traditional ruler. Allah kagafarta wa Takawa.
