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New Page 22
Masari: Beyond the
turbaning;An eye on the Governor’s Lodge?
LAWAL SAIDU (in Katsina)
The
traditional title of Dallatun Katsina conferred on the Federal House of
Representatives Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari on August 6, 2004, is a big
and privileged position in the Emir’s council. An authority on the history of
Katsina Emirate Council, who was often referred to as the Griot of Katsina,
Malam Abdullahi Nababa told Sunday Champion that the role of Dallatun Katsina in
the palace is to advise the Emir on matters affecting the Emirate Council. He
went further to explain that the title was coined from Daura Emirate and adopted
into Katsina Emirate Council. Malam Nababa noted that the first Dallatun Katsina
was, Alhaji Grba Bakori I, who was turbaned in 1974, while the second Dallatun
Katsina was Alhaji Lawal, who was turbaned in 1992 and died in 2004, with the
recent turbaning of the Speaker, Aminu Bello Masari, he has automatically become
the Dallatun Katsina, the third.
Giving reasons for such a privilege honour
to the new Dallatun, the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Muhammad Kabir Usman said that
he considered the new Dallatun for such an honour because of his contributions
to the development of the state and the nation as a whole. He therefore charge
the new Dallatun Katsina to continue to be a good ambassador of the state and
continue to consider the entire country as his constituency. The Emir tasked the
new Dallatun to embrace all irrespective of ethnic or religious considerations.
The crowd at the turbanning ceremony
however went dead silent, when the Emir counseled the gathering to remember that
the last day is fast approaching. To prepare for it, Alhaji Muhammad Kabir Usman
urged everyone to strive to work hard in doing good and shunned evil acts. The
Emir also touched on the thorny issue of ensuring the unity of the country,
where he called on Nigerians to shun any act or utterances that could
jeopardized its existence as a united entity.
The Emir also went further to describe his
domain as one of the most peaceful in the country. The Emir said "Katsina State
embrace all irrespective of ethnic or religious considerations. When other parts
of the country were on fire, Katsina State remained peaceful. I therefore wish
to encourage all people residing in the state to continue to maintain such a
trend."
Similarly, the roll call of those in
attendance at the ceremony has shown that the new Dallatun has become a power to
reckon with at the national political scene. Those in attendance, included three
former heads of states, General Yakubu Gowon, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida
and General Abdulsalami Abubakar. The acting chairman of PDP Board of Trustees,
Chief Tony Anenih, represented the president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, while the
Gombe State Governor, Alhaji Danjuma Goje represented the vice president Atiku
Abubakar.
Governors in attendance, include, Sokoto
State governor, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, Peter Odili of Rivers State, Orji Uzor
Kalu of Abia, Achike Udenwa of Imo State, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, Ibrahim Mantu
and a host of others. The House of Representatives was represented by the deputy
Speaker, Mr. Austin Opara, others are, the chairman house committee on foreign
affairs, Dr. Usman Bugaje, chairman house committee on education, Dr. Garba
Matazu, Alhaji Hamisu Gambo, chairperson house committee on information, Abike
Dabiri, the House leader, Alhaji Abdul Ningi, among others.
The ministers were also part of the
occasion with the minister of Information and National Orientation, Chief
Chukwuemeka Chikelu, minister of finance, Dr. Ngozi Iweala, FCT minister, Malam
Nasir el-Rufai and others in attendance.
The event did not only stop at the
turbaning ceremony as other events such as Polo game, Drama presentations,
Traditional dances and football matches were organized.
Speaking on the new Dallatun, the
chairman, House committee on education, Dr. Garba Matazu, told newsmen that "The
new Dallatun is a sincere and honest leader. His ability to restore honour and
peace in the house has shown that the man possessed an exceptional qualities of
leadership."
Also commenting, the chairperson house
committee on information and public relations, Abike Dabiri described the new
Dallatun Katsina as a humane and humble leader, who embrace all without bias. A
member representing Katsina in the national assembly, Alhaji Hamisu Gambo, who
was also a traditional title holder of Dan Lawan Katsina, described the
turbaning of the Speaker, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari as Dallatun Katsina as "a
well deserved honour to a true democrat, who has contributed his quota in the
sustenance of democratic rule in the country."
A long time friend of new Dallatun Katsina,
Alhaji Abdulwahab Mani told Sunday Champion that Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari is a
trusted friend, a humble personality, who respect all without discrimination".
In an interview with newsmen after the
ceremony, the new Dallatun Katsina, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari thanked all those
who came personally and by proxy to share in the happy moments with him. He
specifically thank the Emir of Katsina, the Emirate Council and the entire
people of the state for their support.
Fielding question from newsmen, Alhaji
Aminu Bello Masari stressed the need for a special role for traditional rulers.
The Dallatun Katsina, said giving special roles to traditional institutions will
make them function better and contribute their quota towards the peace and
development of the nation. He described traditional institutions as the pivot
through which national integration could be achieved.
The chairman of the organizing committee
of the ceremony, Alhaji Dahiru Barau Mangal was praised for his organisational
qualities which saw to the success of the event. In his comment, Alhaji Dahiru
Mangal said "The new Dallatun Katsina is a man of the people who respects and
love all without discrimination."
Going by the presence of political
heavyweights at the ceremony, it further confirmed the recent speculations over
his gubernatorial ambition in the state. Sunday Champion however observed that
most of the speaker’s supporters wore singlets with inscriptions such as "After
Yar’Adua it will be the turn of Dallatun Katsina, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari."
With his present position as a traditional
title holder, the speaker, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, Dallatun Katsina, has
launched himself into reckoning in the political landscape of Katsina State.
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