By Simon Reef Musa
Last Monday marked a watershed for the Sokoto Caliphate, historically known as ‘Daular Usmaniyya’, as the 19th Sultan, His Eminence Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, celebrated the 20th anniversary of his ascension to the throne after the death of the 18th Sultan, Muhammadu Maccido, in an air crash in November 2006. The landmark event became a display of ceremonial pageantry as the Sultan honoured distinguished Nigerians across ethnic and religious divides. The ceremony was a profound exercise in cultural diplomacy, national integration, and the intentional validation of patriotic service across regional and religious status. By appointing Peter Igho, a Christian from the Niger Delta, as the symbolic “voice” of one of Africa’s oldest and most revered Islamic traditional institutions, the Sultanate sent a clear message that merit and mutual respect for our diversity can kill the virus of tribalism that has become the bane of national integration.
Among the 11 conferred with traditional titles by the Sultan are Prof. Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede (Immediate past JAMB Registrar and NSCIA Secretary-General) as the ‘Kuliyan Sokoto’ and Dr Peter Igho (Former Director General of the NTA) as the ‘Kakakin Daular Usmaniyya’. These appointments are unique, as they broaden the hallway for inclusion and recognise talent and genuine efforts towards the upliftment of Nigerian society. Both Oloyede and Igho are living testimonies of honesty and integrity. The ‘Kakaki’ functions as a high-level cultural ambassador and strategic communicator who bridges the inner chambers of the Sultanate with the wider global community. Amid misconceptions and outright falsehoods about the Sultanate, Igho’s appointment could not have come at a better time.
Rather than restricting traditional honours to local indigenes or political heavyweights, the Sultanate has looked beyond geographical and religious barriers to reward a citizen who spent his life serving the collective national project. As Igho rightly noted when he received the initial notification, honouring him with the title of ‘Kakakin Daular Usmaniyya’ is “what Nigeria can be when service transcends tribe and religion.” This act, no doubt, provides a template for other traditional rulers across the country to use their stools and build cross-cultural alliances in obliterating ethnic enclaves.
This week’s 20th anniversary ceremony serves as an intentional assurance from the Caliphate that its commitment to broadening unity across ethnic and religious lines remains intact. At a time when insecurity is driven by disunity among the country’s ethnic and religious groups, Sultan Abubakar’s gesture goes beyond symbolism. By recognising prominent Nigerians with honours and setting a table for unity while dousing the flames of bigotry ripping across Nigeria, especially the North, the path for consensus-building that Arewa was known for is set to return. However, the years ahead may prove uncertain in achieving the symbolism of the honours bestowed on Nigerians outside the Caliphate.
What ails the North now is the abdication of the factors that encouraged unity among Northerners over the years. In addition, ethnic nationalities are being excluded through deliberate falsehood, helped by those whose actions and inactions encourage the metaphorisation of intolerance and the enthronement of ethnic supremacy. I am a witness of yesterday’s North after spending my early years in the former Sokoto State, now Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States. At the Government Secondary School, Bungudu, our principal, now the Emir of Tsafe, Alhaji Muhammad Bawa Abubakar, went out of his way in 1983 to plead with our Geography teacher, Mr George Galadima, to teach the 10 non-Muslim students Christian Religious Studies (CRS). I would not be alive today if not for my classmate, Dan’Asabe, who saved me from drowning at the Bungudu River. He not only fought my fights, but he also announced that anyone planning to fight me should contact him, as he has bought all my fights. He is still my brother, and I will cherish him till death. I can’t repay him for all his kindness.
I have listened to some conspiracy theories about the Caliphate subtly and aggressively involved in Islamising Nigeria, especially the North. That is entirely bunkum. If the founder of the Caliphate is quoted as having declared, “A nation can survive with unbelief, but no nation can survive injustice,” then what reason is there for deploying injustice for political gain? The contest for political power in 2013 exposed devious tactics through the deployment of religious sentiments, but after the polls, politicians’ motives have been unveiled. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani have clearly placed the activities of these unfaithful public office seekers into oblivion. Sultan Abubakar III has established a reputation as a champion of interfaith dialogue, peacebuilding, and civic progress. As his father, the 17th Sultan, Sir Siddiq Abubakar III, this retired military Brigadier General has stepped up to confront the challenge of rallying a new frontier that encourages unity and recognition of others, even outside the caliphate, for their public service.
Let me place on record that Sultan Siddiq was opposed to the shedding of blood of any kind. He was firmly opposed to the execution of armed robbers in 1985 and pleaded with Major General Muhammadu Buhari not to execute armed robbers. His request was turned down, and the 17th Sultan, who ruled for 50 years, was never happy with those executions. My family is one of the beneficiaries of the Sultanate, as Sultan Maccido adopted my sibling and helped secure his military employment.
Sultan Abubakar remains a beacon of hope in a region that has become its greatest enemy. Many of the challenges confronting us are self-inflicted. If the 17th Sultan, Sir Siddiq, left sterling footprints in the Sultanate for 50 years, especially in girl-child education, then Sultan Abubakar can rally forces for a new dawn for Nigeria, where justice and unity reign. May the Sultan live longer on the throne for the greater service of the Caliphate and Humanity. I pray that His Eminence be guided by the righteous actions of his late father in addressing mutual suspicion that has turned the North into a ceaseless flood of violence.
Simon Reef is a member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE). He can be reached on: simonreef927@gmail.com