Nuruddeen M. Abdallah
Alhaji Ado Bayero, the Emir of Kano, among other things, symbolizes the transformation of the emirate system from its control of the society to that of community leadership that has earned Islamic legitimacy through service to the people and commitment to the ideals of their faith.
His outstanding role as a religious leader has endeared him, according to analysts, to Muslims of all sects, not only in Kano but in many parts of Nigeria.
It is in this light that various groups seek his blessings in their activities largely because of his influence and the fact that he is one of the most respected Nigerians. Both at the national and international arena, he is regarded as a wise and humble counselor because of his experience and diverse cultural linkages that make him a bridge builder in the promoting mutual understanding and conflict resolution.
This, among other germane qualities, has registered San Kano's enduring reputation even among the circles of traditional rulers.
This was seen as history repeated itself as the Sokoto Caliphate honored one of its commanders during the jihad, the Sarkin Yaki of the Caliphate and the Emir of Kano in a heartwarming ceremony.
Among the series of events marking the 45th anniversary of Ado Bayero as the Emir of Kano was a public lecture where President Umaru Yar'adua attended. The Emir's contemporary and schoolmate, Alhaji Maitama Sule, Dan Masanin Kano, who knew him right from childhood, was the guest speaker.
Analysts have described the former Nigerian permanent representative to the United Nations as a witness to virtually all the Emir's achievements in life: whether as a policeman, a diplomat or as an Emir.
The Emir was born on Sunday June 15, 1930 (17th Muharram 1349) in Gidan Rumfa while his father, Alhaji Abdullahi Bayero, held sway as the Emir of Kano. He was the eleventh and second son of his father and mother respectively. He was named after the first son of his father who had died when he was only five years during the reign of Sarkin Kano Abbas. He grew up in the palace as well as in the house of Maikano Zage as it was the tradition in those days for every prince to be put under the care of one of the leading cucunawa (royal slave) title holders.
Bayero is certainly a man of destiny whose reign has been most exciting and eventful. His parents Abdullahi Bayero, 1926-1953) and Muhammadu Abbas 1903-1919) were both Emirs of Kano. His two great grandfathers were also Emirs beginning with the second emir, Ibrahim Dabo, who reigned between 1819 and 1846 and Abdullahi, the father of Abbas, who reigned between 1855 and 1883.
As the tradition with the royal family, the young Bayero studied Qur'an along with his brothers under the tutelage and guidance of Hajiya Umma, wife of Walin Kano, Sulaiman. At the later stage of his charming and humble life, he attended Kano Middle School and School for Arabic Studies, Kano.
His stint in public service started at the Bank of British West Africa, now First Bank in 1947. In 1949, he left the bank, to join the services of Kano Native Authority. During his service at the NA, he attended courses in Nigeria at the Clerical Training Center, Zaria and a Local Government Course in the United Kingdom. He was also the Chief Clerk of the Kano Town Council.
Bayero also joined partisan politics where he tested his electoral prowess. This, he did successfully , as he contested and won elections into the Northern Region House of the Assembly under the banner of Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) in 1954. He made his inaugural speech in the House of Assembly on March 13, 955.
When the need for him to go back to the traditional authority arose, the young Bayero did not hesitate to resign as a member of the House in 1957 and subsequently took up appointment as Wakilin Doka, Chief of Kano Native Authority Police. Having served the emirate at that capacity for five years up to1962, he was appointed Nigeria's Ambassador to Senegal.
While in far away Switzerland studying French, the prince was summoned to Nigeria in the second week of October, 1963, to become the 13th Emir of Kano. The ascension of Ado Bayero to the throne was both historic and monumental.
He was reportedly said to have ascended the throne exactly 500 years after Sarki Muhammadu Rumfa, the worthy ancestor to whom he could most appropriately be compared.
The prince was beckoned from far away Europe to fill the vacuum left by his uncle, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa, who became the only alternative to the political crisis that engulfed Kano and the Northern region; after Sarkin Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi abdicated under a serious political storm, threatening the entire Northern establishments and the stability of Kano especially.
In the six months he served as emir, Muhammadu Inuwa, had stood firmly and successfully against regional politics that threatened to balkanise Kano then.
Link: allafrica.com/stories/200811170863.html
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