Sultan Marks 20 Years on Throne, Honours 13 Eminent Nigerians with Traditional Titles
The ancient city of Sokoto, the Seat of the Caliphate, witnessed a colourful and historic celebration on Sunday as the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, conferred traditional titles on 13 distinguished personalities to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his ascension to the throne.
The colourful investiture ceremony, held at the Sultanate Palace in Sokoto, attracted prominent personalities from across the country, including traditional rulers, government officials, members of the National Assembly, Islamic scholars, business leaders and thousands of well-wishers.
The traditional title conferment took place at the Sultanate Council palace, followed by a spectacular traditional Durbar and Bukin Aski, which added cultural significance and splendour to the occasion.
Among the personalities honoured were former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, who received the title of Kuliyan Sokoto, and former Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Dr. Peter Igho, who was turbaned Kakakin Sokoto.
Others include Gandi Umar, Esq., as Sarkin Galmar Sarkin Musulmi; Professor Mansur Ibrahim, a lecturer at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, and Chief Imam of Abu Huraira Mosque, as Danmasanin Sokoto; and Alhaji Murtala Abdulkadir Dan’iya as Dallatun Sokoto.
The remaining honourees are Abdulkadir Jeli Bello, who received the title of Sarkin Fuloti Sokoto; Abubakar Saddique Abubakar as Sarkin Dawakin Tsakar Gida Sokoto; Shehu Usman Abubakar as Fagacin Sokoto; and Hon. Bello Idris as Wakilin Tarihin Daular Usmaniyya.
Also honoured were Hon. Ibrahim Almustapha Aliyu Rabah as Bauran Sokoto; Aminu Isa Buhari as Danmalikin Sokoto; Dr. Balarabe Kakale Shehu Shuni as Wakilin Makarantar Daular Usmaniyya; and Abubakar Hussaini Bazza as Sarkin Bai Sokoto.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, was among the high-profile dignitaries who attended the ceremony, which brought together thousands of people to celebrate the Sultan’s two decades of leadership.
The event formed part of activities commemorating the Sultan’s 20 years on the throne, highlighting the enduring significance of the Sokoto Sultanate, its traditional institutions and their contributions to the religious, cultural and social life of Nigeria.
