Appraising Lamido Muhammad Barkindo

Today, it is nearing two years, after His Royal Highness, Dr. Muhammad Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa was turbaned as Lamido Adamawa. What is his rating among his subjects? What are his styles of leadership?  Are there signs that he is following the footsteps and teachings of his late father? Though, historians and the Lamido himself accepted […]

Today, it is nearing two years, after His Royal Highness, Dr. Muhammad Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa was turbaned as Lamido Adamawa. What is his rating among his subjects? What are his styles of leadership?  Are there signs that he is following the footsteps and teachings of his late father? Though, historians and the Lamido himself accepted that, to emulate great men like late Lamido Aliyu Musdafa is a herculean task. But princes worth their salts, all the time, emulate and follow the good footsteps of their fathers- kings.

In May 1980, Lamido Dr. Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Musdafa was turbaned as Ciroma Adamawa (one who oversees natural resources and veterinary cases of the Emirate), by his late father. His ascension to that position at the age of 36, was a clear sign of the confidence reposed in him by his late father, the Adamawa Emirate and the entire Adamawa people. It was also a sign of being purposefully positioned to lead the Emirate.

The citizens of Adamawa Emirate see Lamido Dr. Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustafa as a modern Emir that understands the difference between passion for excellence and that for power. He was once quoted to have said: “Traditional titles are not for sale and would be given only to worthy candidates based on recommendations of the Emirate’s king makers”. As providence will have it, Lamido Dr. Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustafa was chosen as the 12th Lamido of Adamawa, based on his  natural character as a great leader; his visible achievements in life and contributions to the development of Adamawa state.

Lamido Dr. Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustafa is doggedly following the footsteps of his father and showing signs that he has learnt a lot from his closeness to him. His regular interaction with his subjects and excellent community development initiatives are worth appreciating.

Lamido Dr. Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustafa is a tradition ruler with style of a modern day democratic administrator- he has a clear and vivid picture of what success looks like and where he intends to take the Adamawa Emirate to. He has a high regard for confident people but abhors pride; he admires hard-work and encourages his subjects to be productive.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Jimeta, Adamawa State. [email protected]