By Mohammed Baba Busu
Alhaji Yahya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, says the traditional institution will always honour those who contribute to the development of Nupe Kingdom, the state, country and indeed humanity.
The Etsu Nupe said this at the turbanning ceremony of Alhaji Sani Ndanusa, a former Minister of Sports, who was conferred the traditional title of Marafa Nupe in Bida.
According to Alhaji Abubakar, “those that are given traditional titles are people of proven integrity who show concern to the development and socio-economic well being of the emirate.”
He said the honour was to encourage others to live an exemplary life, in any position, for the general good of the country.
The Royal Father further said the Emirate would continue to recognize selfless service by its sons and daughters.
The monarch added that highly placed individuals should continue to bring development to the area, as well as the entire nation.
The Etsu Nupe also stressed the need for the entire people of Nupe land, across Nigeria and in the Diaspora, to continue to contribute meaningfully to the development of Nupe race, Niger state and Nigeria.
The Royal father appealed to Nupes, especially the privileged ones, to come to the urgent aid of their less privileged brothers and sisters in the society.
Alhaji Abubakar stated that wealth needed to be circulated and not hoarded, while those endowed with wealth should be their brothers’ keepers .
According to Etsu Nupe, “it is extremely important that the highly placed individuals in the society should always think of what they would do to better the lots of the less privileged ones in the society.’
In his remarks at the ceremony, the Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello, represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed-Ketso, noted that, as an enthusiast of the traditional institutions, his administration would continue to contribute and support the sustenance of traditional rulers.
He said the honour done to the illustrious sons of Nupe race, was well deserved.
“The honour done to Engr Sani Ndanusa illustrates the Emirate’s appreciation to the remarkable contributions to over all development of their immediate community, Niger state, the nation and humanity at large.”
Responding, Ndanusa, the new Marafa, thanked God and the monarch for the honour and pledged to uphold the throne of Kin Nupe Emirate.
He pledged to live above board and continue to bring economic and social developments to the area.
Also commenting on the development, a friend and confidant of Ndanusa, Maj.- Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim-Gana, Danmagayaki Nupe, lauded the Etsu Nupe for bestowing the honour on the new title holder .
Gen Gana said the gesture was an indication of the tremendous confidence he had in the conferee.
Danmagayaki Nupe also promised that Ndanusa would justify the confidence reposed in him as the gesture would spur him to do more.
