Ex-Triumph newspaper staff, Mustapha Garba, becomes first Dan Darman Sokoto

A family member of the Sultan told Daily Trust that Garba’s decades of friendship with Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar and his philanthropic gestures were what earned him the title.

Alhaji Mustapha Garba, a former Assistant Purchasing Officer of the Triumph newspaper will today be conferred with the traditional title of Dan Darman Sokoto by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III. Garba is the first person to be conferred with such title in the history of the Sokoto Caliphate.

He is to be honoured with the chieftaincy title alongside other prominent personalities, including the Governor of Zamfara State and the deputy governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Bello Matawalle and Manir Dan’iya who have been conferred with Shattiman Sokoto and Walin Sokoto respectively.

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The title of Dan Darman, though the first of its kind in Sokoto, is not alien to the northern region. According to some historical accounts, the title was derived from the trajectory of Hausa kingdoms in the past, during which period kings recognized prestigious persons and groups within the society.

A family member of the Sultan told Daily Trust that Garba’s decades of friendship with Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar and his philanthropic gestures were what earned him the title.

It was said that, he (Garba) shared a lot with the Sultan, especially, when it comes to generosity.

“He is always settling hospital bills, school fees, house rents, sometime renovating houses for the masses among other things. He is ready to provide listening ears whenever needed,” one of Garba’s close allies said.

The new Dan Darman Sokoto was also described as exceptionally humble, generous and ever willing to align with anything that is in the interest of the public.

Garba’s friendship with the Sultan started about 36 years ago when the revered monarch was a Major in the military and the relationship keeps waxing stronger, a source said.

An accomplished businessman and astute personality, the new Dan Darman Sokoto was born into the family of Alhaji Mustapha Garba and Hajiya Amina Mustapaha at Dukurawa Quarters, Kano in 1958.

As is the tradition in the Muslim populated Kano, Garba attended Qur’anic school at a very tender age before he was enrolled into Kukarbulukiya primary school. He was there between 1968 and 1971.

He later attended St.Barths Primary Boarding School, Zaria, which he completed in 1974. He then proceeded to the Government Secondary School, Daura, between 1974 and 1976. Being a very brilliant student, he obtained the required credits and was admitted into the School of Management Studies in 1979. He graduated in 1983.

He worked briefly as an Assistant Purchasing Officer with the Triumph Newspaper.

After the coup of December 1983, he was disengaged by the then Military Governor of Kano State, Air Commodore Hamza Abdullahi, but instead of wallowing in self-pity, he turned that incident into an opportunity by starting his own business as a commodities’ distributor.

He did so well that he later formed a company called Danbalas Enterprises Limited with a friend, Alhaji Lawal Shehu Daura, who is now late.

And in 1994, he formed another company, called AMG Worldwide Limited. He formed the company with his wife and children as directors.

AMG is in business till date. The company is into construction, supplies and property. He is also into the Bureau de change business, which he inherited from his grandfather and father.

The new Dan Darman believes that mother is supreme and based on that, he is guided by two unwritten rules which are as follows; Rule number one- Hajiya (his mother) is always right. Rule number two,-Hajiya can never be wrong.

People with knowledge of the title and its importance in the northern traditional circle say Alhaji Mustapha Garba is eminently qualified for it and expressed confidence that he would bring his experience and carriage to bear in carrying out the role required of the position.

Another source said, though not an indigene of Sokoto, the caliphate has through the title gained a worthy son in the person of Alhaji Mustapha.

The new title holder is happily married with five children.