THE 13th Emir of Kano, Alhaji (Dr) Ado Bayero, has said in his 50 years on the throne, nothing has ever rattled or frightened him, “as I have absolute faith in God.”
The traditional ruler, who is celebrating the Golden Jubilee of his reign, however, said he regretted that two serving heads of state from the state, General Murtala Muhammed and General Sani Abacha, died during his reign.
Speaking with select journalists in his palace on Thursday, Alhaji Bayero said for 50 years on the throne, nothing had perturbed him, adding that perseverance, endurance and patience had been his strength.
He said a check through the history of all emirates founded by the late Islamic reformer and scholar, Shiekh Usman Dan Fodio, revealed that all the emirs devoted their lives to Allah, encouraged Islamic education, assisted the poor and other underprivileged in the society, adding that no evil planned against them had ever succeeded.
Bayero, who was Nigerian Ambassador to Senegal before his enthronement as the emir at the age of 33, disclosed that his schedules included praying for peace, meeting people, solving problems, advising political leaders and eradicating vices through the activities of Ulamas working with the councils.
“When I was younger and active, I used to attend to people day and night, but now at 83, I am old and tired. I rest most of the time and see people on Fridays and Sundays. Once I am aware that you are around, even if you do not see me, you will receive a message from me,” he said.
Commenting on the Maitatsine riots and recent attempt to kill him by unknown gunmen, the emir, who was the 11th child of his father, said he thanked God that he was alive to celebrate his 50th anniversary on the throne, adding that neither the Maitatsine crisis nor any other crisis had ruffled him.
“Nothing has ever hurt me in my 50 years on the throne,” he said, adding that “whatever befall any human beings should be counted as the act of God.”
Recalling when he became the emir, he said “when I was crowned as the Emir of Kano in June 1963, I received the honour with mixed feelings. I was happy, and then I was not happy.
“In any case, I took it as a call to serve my people. I was not happy because then, I had elder brothers, elderly uncles, who could have done it better, but the mantle of leadership fell on me and I had no choice but to accept the responsibility.”
He stressed the need to assign constitutional roles to traditional rulers, adding that “if the government decides to assign constitutional roles to traditional rulers, it is acceptable to me and if it decides otherwise, it is also acceptable.”
He called on the people of the state to pray for the development of Kano and Nigeria, adding that peace and unity remained the cornerstone of every nation determined to develop.
He also called on Nigerians to have faith in God, noting that for everything, God has a purpose.
Meanwhile, following the preparation for the celebration of the Golden Jubilee anniversary of the coronation, the palace is wearing a new look, preparatory to the event today, while security had been beefed up in Kano, especially around the palace.
Recalling when he became the emir, he said “when I was crowned as the Emir of Kano in June 1963, I received the honour with mixed feelings. I was happy, and then I was not happy.
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