Tribute to Hassan Ahmad II, Sarkin Nasarawa
I was totally distraught when I received the news of the demise of Emir of Nasarawa, Alhaji Hassan Ahmed II. He was a father to all, an untiring peacemaker, a staunch disciplinarian, a workaholic per excellence and a bridge builder among communities, cultural diversities and religious persuasions. And going by the multitude of people that thronged […]
I was totally distraught when I received the news of the demise of Emir of Nasarawa, Alhaji Hassan Ahmed II. He was a father to all, an untiring peacemaker, a staunch disciplinarian, a workaholic per excellence and a bridge builder among communities, cultural diversities and religious persuasions.
And going by the multitude of people that thronged his residence during his burial and after to offer their condolences to his immediate family and loved ones, the late Emir who reigned for 14 years was an exemplary monarch. Indeed, he regarded the problems of his community as his personal problems, indicating his untiring commitment to connect with all those that matter and address those problems in a mutually satisfying manner to the happiness of all. It is to his credit that many developmental projects and programmes were attracted to his domain in Nasarawa, the most notable of which is the establishment of Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa, the catalyst for economic prosperity and social harmony courtesy of the thousands of employment opportunities provided to Nigerians in general and Nasarawa citizens in particular. Indeed, this single federal institution’s multiplier effect through thousands of indirect employment opportunities provided serve as a living testimony to his being the father of all and sundry.
His uncompromising initiatives for peace and harmony is a test case for emulation by other traditional rulers in Nasarawa state and Nigeria in general due to the lasting peace enjoyed by his community despite religious and ethnic differences. His proactive approach in mitigating potential conflict by calling all stakeholders in his palace for a roundtable discussion, have succeeded in mitigating possible clashes that may have destroyed lives and property, hence destroying the peace and harmony his emirate is known for. In all his public speeches during Sallah and whenever he received visitors, his constant admonition is for people to live in peace and harmony as no meaningful development in any society can be attained in the absence and love and peaceful co-existence. Indeed, only Allah knows what formulae/strategy he used to prevent/settle farmers/herders clashes in his domain that you hardly hear any conflict of such nature.
He is a staunch disciplinarian as all those that worked with him during his working career and family members would attest to this quality of his.
My last discussion with him is almost two years ago precisely in November 2016, when I wrote a befitting tribute to his close friend and confidant, Late Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, former governor of Old Kano State, now comprising Jigawa and Kano. He asked his son, Dr. Ahmad, Dan Iyan Nasarwa, to call me in person. He thanked me in superlative terms and prayed fervently for me and I remember his words “You have done the most wonderful thing to me by writing this tribute and this is a personal honour to me being my close friend and confidant.” Little did Sarki know that in exactly two years, he would depart this world and meet his friends and ancestors Allah willing in the next world.
May Allah Subhanahu Wataala accept his coming back to him as a true servant that discharged his responsibilities diligently in this world. May Allah forgive his shortcomings and failing and accept all his good deeds and reward him with Jannatil Firdaus Ameen. My condolences go to his immediate family, the people of Nasarawa emirate and the entire good people of Nasarawa State as a whole.
Nazifi Abdullahi Darma, Abuja.