By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
Nigeria's former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB), has described, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, as a bridge builder, peacemaker and a beacon of hope for the less privileged Nigerians.
Babangida spoke at a ceremony to mark the 20th year anniversary of the Etsu Nupe on the throne and the 71st birthday. He added that one of the salient qualities of the Nupe monarch is his ability to keep his subjects as one, as well as his capacity to bring development to the Bida Emirate
General Babangida who was represented at the anniversary occasion by the former Military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), said the 20 years on the throne of Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar as the Etsu Nupe saw to the peaceful co-existence amongst all residents of the emirate irrespective of their religious, tribal and regional configurations.
“The Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, is a humble man to the core who has the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians at heart. I am praying that Allah grants him sound health and longevity”, Babangida said.
Also speaking, Niger State Governor, Hon. Umar Bago, appealed to traditional rulers in the state and across the country to stand up for their role as custodians of culture and tradition of Nigerians and guide leaders aright through their advice whenever they try to go astray.
Governor Bago who pledged to continue to give listening ears to the words of advice from traditional rulers in the state, however prayed for divine guidance of the Etsu Nupe to sustain his tempo of piety, patriotism and philanthropic gestures.
Also remarks, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar 111, sought for prayers for leaders at the federal, state and local government levels for God to guide them aright. “This is to enable them discharge their responsibilities diligently.
“The Etsu Nupe and myself are both 20 years on our respective thrones. He is God-sent to salvage Nupe people. So, I am urging all the Nupes both at home and in the diaspora to support Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe”.
Responding, the elated celebrant, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the present administration, saying, ‘the policies and programmes will soon start yielding fruits and there will be light at the end of the tunnel’.
For his subjects, the Etsu Nupe (Yahaya Abubakar), who is a retired AirForce Officer, urged the Nupes at home and in the diaspora not to forget their roots but to come back home and invest in the Emirate for speedy development of the ‘Kin-Nupe’.
Other dignitaries that attended the event includes the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan-Ogunwusi who also in a remark, urged Nigerians to fervently pray for leaders at all tiers of government to enable them deliver more dividends of democracy to Nigerians. NNL.
