Behold! Shema, the new Sarkin Yakin Hausa

Daura emirate had in recent past conferred three other Hausa titles to the former President of Court of Appeal, retired Justice Umar Abdullahi (Walin Hausa), former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Saminu Turaki (Turakin Hausa) and former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Commassie (Sardaunan Hausa). Historically, the title of Sarkin Yakin Hausa only belongs […]

Daura emirate had in recent past conferred three other Hausa titles to the former President of Court of Appeal, retired Justice Umar Abdullahi (Walin Hausa), former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Saminu Turaki (Turakin Hausa) and former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Commassie (Sardaunan Hausa).

Historically, the title of Sarkin Yakin Hausa only belongs to the first among warriors of Daura kingdom, whose main duties include safe-guarding the territorial integrity of the kingdom and leading the territorial army at the battlefield.

In modern times however, the title of Sarkin Yaki Hausa could be given to any person of bravery and sound intellect from any part of the traditional seven Hausa states.

According to the Emir of Daura, Governor Shema has fulfilled all the requirements and therefore deserves the title. The Katsina governor was awarded the title on Saturday, July 31, 2010, but only to be turbaned penultimate Tuesday, May 29.

With the conferment of the title of Sarkin Yakin Hausa on Governor Shema, the Dutsin-Ma born lawyer has become an automatic council member and an Ambassador of Daura Emirate. As the first Sarkin Yakin Hausa of the modern era, Governor Shema is therefore expected to uphold his title by bringing more developments not only to the people of Katsina State, but to the entire Hausa States.

The turbaning ceremony was conducted at the emir’s palace in Daura with a mammoth crowd in attendance. Personalities from near and far places, within and outside Nigeria thronged the venue of the event. Activities of traditional dancers and local percussionists also added colour and gaiety to the long awaited occasion.

A mini durbar was held at Katsina Government House where friends, well-wishers and political associates of the governor including members of Katsina State Executive Council rode decorated horses to celebrate with the state’s number one citizen. The Speaker, Katsina State House of Assembly, Alhaji Ya’u Umar Gwajo-Gwajo, Chief of staff, Alhaji Salisu Yusuf Majigiri and the Commissioner of Agriculture, Alhaji Musa Adamu were among the participants of the lively durbar.

Governor Shema, who arrived at the venue of the event in a white Babbar-Riga for the turbaning, however, returned home in complete traditional regalia and a white turban. After his arrival at the venue for the traditional ceremony, the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Faruk Umar Faruk directed two of his council members, Galadiman Daura, Alhaji Ahmad Didiri Ahmad and Kauran Dauran, Alhaji Lawal Yakubu to commence the ceremony by dressing the governor with a white turban (Harsa) and traditional robe popularly known as Alkyabba.

As the tradition in Daura emirate enshrines, shortly after he was immaculately dressed with a white turban and dark green alkyabba, the Galadima and Kaura will return to the emir and inform him that they have accomplished his directive. The emir then ordered them to bring the governor for the official consecration as Sarkin Yakin Hausa.

During the official consecration, the emir presented the governor a Royal Spear and Sword, which were symbols of that illustrious title in Daura kingdom. By so doing, the emir has completed the exercise of formal confirmation of Governor Shema as Sarkin Yakin Hausa.

In his short remark, the emir said the title of Sarkin Yakin Hausa was conferred on Governor Shema because of his immense contributions to the development of Katsina state, other Hausa States and Nigeria as a whole. He said Shema’s commitments and contributions to humanity earned him the title, saying “service to humanity and dedication to responsibilities were among the requirements for the title.”

“I have personally resolved to confer the title on Governor Shema because of his kindness and commitments to the development of Katsina State and Nigeria in general. The governor is also a loyalist to emirs and traditional institutions, and above all he is a patriotic leader worthy of emulation,” said the emir.

Alhaji Umar Faruk added that the title of Sarkin Yakin Hausa was in the past limited to only a brave warrior, a loyalist and a committed person, who is always willing to defend his people in the battle field,” said the emir.

The emir explained, “Governor Ibrahim Shema has met all the requirements. The entire emirs of Hausa States have agreed for the title to be conferred on him; I have consulted them and it is with their consent that I bestowed the exalted title on Governor Shema.”

Speaking to Sunday Trust shortly after he was turbaned the Sarkin Yakin Hausa, Governor Ibrahim Shema expressed happiness and thanked the Daura emirate and the people of Katsina state for the gesture.

“The title though is an additional burden on me, will at the same time boost my morale to bring more developments to my people in Katsina State and Nigeria in general. With the conferment of the title of Sarkin Yakin Hausa on me it means I should sit up in bringing developments to my people,” Shema said.

Also commenting on the turbaning, the Chief of Staff to the governor, Alhaji Salisu Yusuf Majigiri described it as a well-deserved gesture.

“I was not surprise with title bestowed on Governor Shema because he is a kind of leader that Nigeria needs. He is a committed and dedicated man that always has his people at heart. He is a leader that is putting his peoples’ needs above his personal needs,” he said.

The former Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Mahmoud Aliyu Shinkafi, who attended the occasion, told Sunday Trust that the turbaning was timely. He said, “Governor Shema has transformed Katsina state within five years. He has made huge impacts on the lives of the common man in the areas of health, education and agriculture. His contributions in the socio-economic sector cannot also be quantified.”

Shinkafi said whoever achieved what Governor Shema recorded in five years deserves to be rewarded with this kind of title and hope this will boost his morale to do more for his people at whatever level he may find himself in the future.

Among the dignitaries that attended the ceremony include, business tycoon Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Alhaji Dahiru Bara’u Mangal, three former Governors of Kaduna State, Alhaji Lawal Kaita, Alhaji Balarabe Musa and Alhaji Abba Musa Rimi;  former Katsina State Governor, Alhaji Sa’idu Barda, former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Commassie and Minister of Mines and Steel, Architecture Musa Muhammad Sada.

Others dignitaries at the occasion are Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Tijjani Lamaran Yaro, Ambassador Tukur Mani, Ambassador Magaji Muhammad, Ambassador Abdullahi Aminchi, Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Inde, Brigadier General Mahrazu Tsiga and Ambassador Adamu Ibrahim Babangida.