‘I don’t miss life before becoming Sarkin Zazzau’

Weekly Trust: How would you describe your reign in the last forty years as Emir of Zazzau?In the last forty years, I can say that all my functions and engagements have been very eventful. Eventful in the sense that I and members of the communities as well as all local government chairmen within Zazzau Emirate, […]

Weekly Trust: How would you describe your reign in the last forty years as Emir of Zazzau?
In the last forty years, I can say that all my functions and engagements have been very eventful. Eventful in the sense that I and members of the communities as well as all local government chairmen within Zazzau Emirate, have been able to enhance security without any discrimination. In so doing we have been able to ensure that our people have lived peacefully.
I have also consistently appealed to my people to make sure there is peaceful co-existence amongst them. By so doing I must say, it has been a very eventful reign for me.
In this light, I must also say that I appreciate the role the people have played in ensuring security throughout Zazzau Emirate and in particular, Kaduna State; as well as the whole of the nation. We can’t but thank God for it all.
WT: In recent times there have been crises in northern Nigeria. What would you say, specifically, has been responsible for the relative peace the Emirate has enjoyed?
What I always say to people is that if they find anything they are not happy with, they should not take the laws into their hands. They should always all sit together, iron out their differences and come to a peaceful resolution. If there is conflict of any nature, they should sit together to find out the problem. When that is done, people will be asked to exercise tolerance. And if there is anything that they want, they should approach the right authority, not take the law into their hands. I also always ensure that people report to the security agents any conflicts. By so doing, people will always avoid all these forms of rancour.
WT: Could you describe what it was like when you were selected to be the Emir and the events that trailed it?
There wasn’t anything as such, as far as that is concerned. Here, we gave our traditional system for appointment of the emir. We have five kingmakers. These kingmakers have been with us for years. Even before the advent of the British, we were having kingmakers. Once there is a vacancy on the seat, they think of any capable person from the members of the royal families. It doesn’t go directly to the son. It can be anybody within the family. When this happens, we always ask our people in the two major religions of Islam and Christianity … they should know that power comes from God and He gives it to anybody He wants and takes away from anybody He wants.
WT: Did you have any worries about occupying office and fulfilling your obligations?
Not much. I always ensure that I discuss with the people. I was a district head of the urban area and as one, I was liaising with the people. Sometimes I have had to drive and meet the people and discuss with them, and find out what their problems were and give them the necessary assistance they needed. If it went beyond their power, I went sometimes to the State and even the Federal Government on behalf of the members of the community. By so doing, I became a bit popular with them because they appreciated the way and manner they were being maintained.
WT: Do you miss anything about your life before you became emir?
Not really. There wasn’t anything difficult in my time.
WT: Did you have more privacy or a social life?
No, not much. The question of privacy did not arise because all I wanted was to be able to always discuss with the people. Sit with them and find out what their issues were and render assistance as much as possible.
WT: What would you say you have done differently from your predecessors that has uplifted your community?
I was a member of the Emirate Council. I was a district head in charge of the members of communities. In Zazzau we have many district heads and district administrations. We have villages and wards and then we all sit together with each one having his own assignment. Under the district administration system we have district heads who are allowed to undertake tours of the area to ensure that people are living happily. If there is any problem they would sit together to discuss it and then report to the nearest authority for assistance.
WT: In your experience as a traditional ruler, what would you say is the role of traditional rulers where security is concerned?
Under the system, we have different traditional rulers. All that they do is to maintain the traditional system and our cultural heritage. Sometimes in some places, culture is like a face. People will have respect for culture and tradition. The only difference is that before the advent of the British we used to find the best way to extend the kingdom by means of war. But when the British came, that was ended. But with appreciation of what we are doing, people are attracted to even belong to the domain. So if they want, they can come under the constitution. Anywhere one is staying, you are a citizen of Nigeria. So you have to give your contribution. There is no discrimination whatsoever.