The Sultanate Princes, Advisers And Courtiers

The first method for estimating the intelligence of a ruler is to look at the men he has around him.”

Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince

Separated from the bustling and exhilarated crowd who thronged the ground of his palace, Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar in a sanctum sanctorum after a photo-op with those present of the 20 traditional title holders he just turbaned told all of them that the next round of snap shots will be those of the high ranking title holders to be followed by those below them in rank.

Obviously, this gradation was done in a conclave like setting not only to put the titular pegs in their appropriate places, but also to underscore the significance of each title, regulate its expectations and streamline its roles.

For about two hours on Sunday, the Sultan officiated over the nitty gritty of the investiture of his newest chiefs coming in the hills of a similar, but low keyed confirmation of the Governor of Zamfara State as the Shettiman Sokoto and the Deputy Governor of Sokoto as the new Walin Sokoto a couple of weeks ago.

Sunday’s recipients of the Sultan’s installations include the descendants of his ancestors, Sheikh Usmanu Danfodio, the progenitor of Islamic Reawakening more than two hundred years ago, friends and associates of the Caliphate from far and near and indigenes who have, by dint of industry, ingenuity and intellectual sagacity, made the Caliphate proud.

“Your turbanning is a great honour and opportunity to serve the society and the entire Sokoto caliphate. Because of this, I expect all of you to shoulder the responsibilities with dedication and commitment,” the Sultan had said at the arena where the induction took place.

“It is our humble belief that you would assist in achieving a favourable and rewarding Ramadan, in peace and for the benefit of Muslims, while keeping people closer to the caliphate.

“Moreover, people should continue to pray for the turbaned, to enable them to deliver the responsibilities shouldered on all of them, “ he emphasized.

The roll call of the beneficiaries lists three scions of the 18th Sultan of Sokoto, Ibrahim Dasuki. They are the incumbent Commissioner for Finance in the state, Abdussamad Dasuki turbanned as Santurakin of Sokoto, Abubakar Dasuki as Danmajen Sokoto, Alhaji Khadir Dasuki as Durbin Sokoto,

Sada Muhammad Bello- Marafan ‘Yan Sarki, Alh. Hali Maccido- Dan Ruwatan Sokoto and Alh. Mai-akwai Mu’azu Lamido- Sarkin Gabas Sokoto.

Some of those who got their title by merit were the Chairman, Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Alhaji Muhtari Maigona, Zannan Sokoto and former Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, as Jakadan Sokoto.

Others were a former Minister of Transportation, Alhaji Yusuf Suleiman, Dan Amar Sokoto, Prof. Ahmad Mora, Kayayen Sarkin Musulmi, Alhaji Musa Bashar, Mayanan (or Mainan) Sokoto, and Alh. Dahiru Abbas- Sarkin Gandu Sokoto.

The remaining were a former NNPC Director, Alhaji Faruk Ahmad, Danmadamin Sokoto, the world acclaimed Director-General, National Automotive Design and Development Council, (NADDC), Alhaji Jelani Aliyu, Abubakar Bature- Dokajin Sokoto, Alh. Yusuf Abubakar lll- Cigarin Sokoto, Mustafa Garba- Dan Darma

Namadina Abdulrahman- Talban Sokoto, Aminu Bala Sokoto- Dan-Iyan Sokoto and Aminu Buhari Galadima- Dan Malikin Sokoto.

The hyperactive Governor of Sokoto State, himself a senior traditional title holder, the Mutawallen Sokoto, at the close of the occasion attended two separate receptions organized by the Dasuki family and his friend, Maigona.

Muhammad Bello

Special Adviser Media and Publicity to the Governor