Late Emir of Keffi: Remembering a leader with great attributes

As a mark of honour, a memorial lecture with the theme ‘Late Alhaji Muhammadu Chindo Yamusa II: A Leader Worthy of Emulation’ was organised by Gamji Members’ Association on 3rd April, 2018. In his Remark, the Chairman of the event, Justice Mamman Nasir GCON, Galadiman Katsina described the late Emir as one whose reign witnessed […]

As a mark of honour, a memorial lecture with the theme ‘Late Alhaji Muhammadu Chindo Yamusa II: A Leader Worthy of Emulation’ was organised by Gamji Members’ Association on 3rd April, 2018. In his Remark, the Chairman of the event, Justice Mamman Nasir GCON, Galadiman Katsina described the late Emir as one whose reign witnessed tremendous development in the development of the emirate. He concluded by describing the late Emir as one who has left an indelible mark in the history of Keffi. 

The Royal Father of the Day, HRH Alhaji Barr Sani Haliru Dantoro, Kitoro the IV, described the late Emir as a mentor who in the course of his reign impacted positively on the life of his subjects and the nation at large; The present Emir, Alhaji Dr. Shehu Chindo Yamusa thanked the Almighty Lord for giving him the late Emir as a father, and mentor. According to him, the late Emir was a strict disciplinarian whose major concerns are the well-being of his subjects and their progress. The Guest Speaker, Professor S B Mohammed emphasised at the outset that there are a number of lessons to learn from the exemplary, selfless and humble leader, especially given the leadership deficit in Nigeria which has manifested in monumental corruption, impunity, insurgency, and criminality. 

Tributes on him while alive, and after his demise, are glorious. A close friend of his, and present Emir of Suleja, HRH Malam Awwal Ibrahim had this to say: “Chindo was a gifted pupil during our primary school days. We all liked him because in as much as he was very brilliant, he was never proud, pompous nor arrogant.”

In his goodwill message, the Sarkin Yakin Keffi, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, took time to eulogize the late emir, and give account of his relationship with the late monarch. He decried the situation where the traditional institution have been denied constitutional role in governance insisting that they are the closest to the citizens. He disclosed that he and a number of his colleagues have sponsored a bill that will consider constitutional role for traditional institution in governance. Ambassador Suleiman Umar on his part, described the late Emir as a father, friend, in-law and a leader. He gave vivid account of the positive influence of the Emir on his life. An ideologue of the late Emir, Arc. Shehu Ahmed Tukur the Emir as a legend who spent a larger part of his life building and mentoring others. 

Hon. Ahmed Wadada sees the late Emir, as a leader to emulate. Governor Tanko Al’makura in a remark, read on his behalf praise the organizers for deeming it fit to hold a memorial lecture in honour of a great leader the nation has lost. Another ideologue of the late Emir, Alhaji Mu’azu Ishaq, described the late Emir as a leader whose attributes is for documenting. In his tribute message, HRH Barr J S Aninge MFR, Odiong Nyankpa Panda remarked: “The late Emir was our teacher, mentor and an educationist par excellence. He was a caring father full of industry and insatiable interest and determination to mould an enlightened society”.

In his contributions, the Vice Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Professor M A Mainoma opined that the late emir cherished cooperation, honesty, integrity, nearness to God, discipline and orderliness. He went further to asserts that, the late monarch left a tradition of knowledge seeking, endurance & patience, fairness to all and faithfulness to duty and innovation. He summed it up by saying the late monarch was indeed the ‘Chindo Keffi’. 

Professor Shehu Abdulrahman, Former VC, Federal University, Gashua had this to say: “We are all living witnesses to how he united the people living in Keffi and encouraged good relationships among his subjects. He was a role model to the younger ones. His role in human and community development will remain evergreen in our memory. His love for education encouraged many of us to work hard in our educational pursuits which made quite a number of us professors and scholars today. He mentored us in several ways to become leaders. Personally, I learnt integrity from him. That is, doing what is right even when it is difficult and when nobody is watching.” 

Kogunan Keffi, Alhaji Kabir Sulaiman, captured it this way: “He was one who possessed an uncommon personality. His education and administrative experience led him to rule his subjects with fear of God, provision of equality amongst all.” 

Nasiru Umar, Hon Safiya M Agwai, DCP James Lander, Halilu Danyaya, Sanusi Idris, Maimuna Buba Ahmed, Dr. Gero Ahmad, Umar Danyaya, Nura Shehu Ahmed and Amina Mohammed all extolled the leadership attributes of the late monarch. 

Late Sarki Yamusa was born in January, 1940 in Keffi. He attended the following schools; Abdu-Zanga Primary School, Abuja Middle School and GTC, Keffi (1947 to 1958). Upon this, he joined the services of the now defunct Regional Education Authority, Keffi District and was posted to various primary schools as a teacher. Within this period he made his mark in the most telling manner as a tutor which led him to be appointed as a Headmaster at Karshi Primary School. In 1962, he attended Higher Teachers Training College, Ilorin which he completed in 1963. Upon completion, he became a substantive Headmaster, and was posted to various primary schools in different districts in defunct Benue-Plateau State. He was at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for the prestigious Diploma in Education, Administration and Planning.  

On completion he returned to Keffi District Local Education Authority and was appointed as the pioneer Education Officer in charge of Local Administrations (1965-1972). In 1972, he was transferred to Makurdi LEA under the then Benue-Plateau Government as Education Officer in charge of the division. He soon became one of the most noticeable and hardworking head teachers in the district on account of his hard work and dedication to duties. In 1975, he was admitted into the prestigious Bristol University, England for further training in Educational Administration and Planning. On his return, he was appointed Secretary, Nasarawa Division of LEA Board. 

On creation of Plateau State, he changed his cadre from Education to Administration and was subsequently transferred to Pankshin Division as AO. While in this cadre, he held several offices among this includes Administrative Officer, Resident Sole Administrator, Secretary and Chairman Caretaker Committee (Pankshin LGA). He served as the Secretary of Keffi Local Government Council and Langtang Local Government. Following the death of the 13th Emir of Keffi, Malam Ahmadu Maikoto, he was selected and appointed by the Kingmakers as the 14th Emir of Keffi. 

Late Emir Yamusa was indeed a symbol of peace, a bridge-builder who did all he could to see to the peaceful co-existence of inhabitants of the emirate irrespective of ethnic, religious and sundry affiliations. He is a leader whose approach to leadership ought to be gathered and documented. May Allah grant him Aljanna Firdausi. 

Isa, National President of Gamji Members’ Association, wrote in from Abuja