Tinubu, govs laud Sultan’s 20-year reign

President Bola Tinubu and the governors of Sokoto and Kano states, Ahmed Aliyu and Abba Yusuf, respectively, have paid tribute to the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, on the 20th anniversary of his ascension to the throne.

Abubakar III ascended the throne on November 2, 2006, having succeeded Sultan Muhammadu Maccido, who died in ADC Airlines Flight 053, which crashed on October 29, 2006, in a cornfield near Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

The crash claimed 96 of the 105 people on board, including the monarch, who was 78 at the time.

A graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Abubakar III was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1974 and rose through the ranks over a career spanning nearly three decades.

He served in various command and staff positions within Nigeria and on United Nations peacekeeping missions abroad before retiring as a Brigadier-General in December 2006.

In a congratulatory letter he signed on Monday, Tinubu praised the Sultan’s two decades of leadership as a period in which the ancient institution of the Sokoto Caliphate had been not only preserved but enriched and redeployed as an instrument for peace, unity and national development.

He wrote, “You have been more than a traditional ruler. You have been a moral authority, a bridge between faiths, a voice of moderation and a steady counsellor to leaders across the country.”

Tinubu commended the Sultan’s role as President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Co-Chairman of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council.

“You have consistently stood for religious harmony and tolerance. Under your leadership as Co-Chairman of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, Christians and Muslims have found common ground, and our diversity has become a source of strength rather than division,” he said.

The President also highlighted the Sultan’s contributions to peace advocacy in the North and across the Sahel, his promotion of girl-child education, support for farmers, and quiet interventions on behalf of the poor and vulnerable.

On a personal note, Tinubu said he valued his friendship with the Sultan and acknowledged the spiritual and political guidance the monarch had offered him.

“Your counsel has been honest, patriotic and always in Nigeria’s best interest.

“Thank you for your support and your prayers for our nation,” the President wrote.

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On his part, Aliyu commended the Sultan for his contributions to peaceful coexistence, religious tolerance, national unity and development.

Aliyu said the Sultan had, over the past two decades, played an outstanding role in promoting peace and fostering understanding among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic and religious groups.

Speaking on Monday at the 13th Annual Danfodiyo Lecture, held alongside activities marking the Sultan’s 20th anniversary on the throne in Sokoto, Aliyu said, “No doubt, Your Eminence’s contributions to peaceful coexistence, religious tolerance among the diverse ethnic groups in the country, as well as national development, are second to none.”

He prayed for Allah’s continued blessings, good health and wisdom for the Sultan to enable him to sustain his service to humanity and the Muslim Ummah.

The governor described the occasion as an opportunity to reflect on the intellectual and moral legacies of the founders of the Sokoto Caliphate, particularly Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio, his brother, Abdullahi Gwandu, and Sultan Muhammadu Bello.

He said their contributions to Islamic scholarship, moral reform, social responsibility, justice, good governance and accountability remained relevant to contemporary society.

He thanked the Sultan for his continued support and guidance, describing the traditional institution as an important platform for dialogue between government, religious leaders, traditional rulers and citizens.

In Kano, Yusuf, in a congratulatory message issued on Monday by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature, acknowledged the Sultan’s role in promoting Islamic values, strengthening interfaith relations and encouraging dialogue among people of different backgrounds.

“The Sultan’s leadership has continued to provide guidance to the Muslim Ummah and contribute to efforts to promote peace, unity and stability across the country,” he said.

The governor prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the Sultan good health, wisdom and strength to sustain his service to Islam, the Muslim community and the nation.

“We shall take this milestone as an opportunity to recognise the Sultan’s contributions to religious leadership, national unity, peace and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians,” the governor added.

He also wished the Sultan many more years of fruitful leadership, praying that his reign would continue to bring blessings, peace and prosperity to Nigeria.