A new era for Kano Emirate

Like in every succession to which there may be many contenders, each eminently qualified and duly entitled to express aspiration, it was a keen contest out of which we believe one of the best emerged victorious. We are glad to note that in spite of initial misgiving, wiser counsel prevailed.The immediate duty of the new […]

Like in every succession to which there may be many contenders, each eminently qualified and duly entitled to express aspiration, it was a keen contest out of which we believe one of the best emerged victorious. We are glad to note that in spite of initial misgiving, wiser counsel prevailed.
The immediate duty of the new Emir of Kano is to move quickly to further consolidate his position as a father figure through a genuine and unequivocal embrace of everyone who possibly could have been aggrieved, or may harbour a sense of loss, by his emergence.
It is fortuitous that the princes and children of the late Ado Bayero visited their father’s successor at the palace in an admirable show of support and to pledge their allegiance. Such public display of unity is crucial, not just for the enduring legacy of the Kano Emirate and the entire royal household, but also its smooth functioning and the socio-political stability of the state
The new emir, who has taken the title Muhammad Sanusi II, is ascending the throne at a time of great expectations of what traditional rulers like him can contribute in addressing the serious social dislocations that have been wrought in many communities across the Northern region by the ongoing threats of insurgency and the inter-communal mistrust and divisions it has engendered. In fact the most brutal of those incidents nearly cut short the life of the late emir, whose own city witnessed one of the most horrific attacks of the Boko Haram insurgency. Another challenge is that of rebuilding the community values and the open arms approach that promote the cosmopolitan nature of Kano city itself. There is no doubt that rebuilding and strengthening bridges of understanding is crucial.
There is no doubt also that there is a lot to be done. The new emir’s position calls for a more subtle but firm approach to the one he had been used to in the past several years, first as a fierce and very visible advocate for monetary policy reforms and transparency in public finance administration, and later as a dogged critic of government and fighter to defend his personal liberties against encroachment by a coterie of powerful government agents.
He is in a position that is regarded as non-partisan, unobtrusive and accommodating to all; a royal father who considers everyone in his domain, irrespective of tribe, religion or political leaning, as his own to nurture and protect. That is a tradition that has stood Kano Emirate in good stead in the almost 1,000 years of its history; it is a tradition that Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II should strive to preserve and nurture.
He could also do more than that as he has the capacity, the education and the enlightened worldview to lead the emirate in a direction that could open up new opportunities for all. Emir Sanusi II should assiduously work to engrave his name among those acknowledged as great among his predecessors.
The emirate is a powerful institution; however its powers are not exercised in the realm of partisan politics, but in the wisdom that is brought to bear in adjudicating communal disputes and cases of political nature without getting personally enmeshed in them, one way or the other. The same principle applies to the Kano Emirate over which Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II now presides. As he grapples with a job he has carefully prepared for all his life, we wish him a glorious reign.