By Mohammed Baba Busu
Former Military President, retired Gen. Ibrahim Babangida has described the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar as a bridge builder, peacemaker, and a beacon of hope for the less privileged Nigerians.
Babangida spoke on Saturday, in Bida, Niger at a ceremony to mark Abubakar’s 20 years on the throne and his 71st birthday.
Represented by the former Military Head of State, retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, Babangida said that the 20-year throne of the Etsu Nupe had brought tremendous development to Bida Emirate.
According to him, Abubakar has ensured peaceful coexistence among all the residents of the emirate irrespective of tribal, religious, and ethnic differences.
Babangida said: “He is a humble man to the core who has the interest of Nigeria at heart.
“I am praying for sound health for him and longevity.”
Also speaking, Gov. Umar Bago of Niger appealed to traditional rulers in the state and other parts of the country to always guide leaders aright whenever they go astray.
Bago also pledged to continue to give listening ears to traditional rulers in the state.
He prayed for divine guidance for the Etsu Nupe to enable him to sustain his tempo of piety, patriotism, and philanthropy.
Bago further vowed to ensure the even socioeconomic development of the state in all ramifications.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar sought prayers for leaders at all levels, saying, “This is to enable them to discharge their responsibilities diligently.
“The Etsu Nupe and myself are both 20 years on our thrones. He is God-sent to salvage the people.
“So, I am urging all Nupes both at home and in the diaspora to support the Etsu Nupe.”
The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan-Ogunwusi urged Nigerians to fervently pray for President Bola Tinubu and other leaders to enable them to deliver more dividends of democracy to Nigerians.
Responding, the elated celebrant, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, Etsu Nupe, and Chairman Niger Council of Traditional Rulers, also appealed to Nigerians to be patient with Tinubu.
He said: “His policies will soon yield fruits and there will be light at the end of the tunnel.
“I am therefore calling on Nigerians to pray for them to succeed and Tinubu’s success is our pride.”
Abubakar urged the Nupes at home and in the diaspora to come back home and invest in the emirate to bolster the development of Kin-Nupe.
NAN reports that the highlight of the occasion was the turbaning of Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, the first daughter of Tinubu as the ‘Yar Jari Nupe’.
Others turbaned were: Sen. Bima Muhammad-Enagi, who represented Niger South Senatorial District in the 9th Senate as the ‘Dunjuma Nupe’ and Chief Mordecai Danteni- Baba, a former Director/Chief Executive Officer, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) as ‘Majiko Nupe.’
Also, Dr. Abdullahi Abubakar-Kuso bagged the title of ‘Dan Wadata Nupe’ while Akanya Ibrahim-Aliyu from Kogi was turbaned as ‘Magatakada Raba Nupe’. (NAN)
