Why I chose Wambai as Galadiman Kano – Emir Sanusi

Sunday Trust reports that Wambai who was born in Bichi local government area of Kano state in 1933 was one of the contenders for the stool of Kano Emir when Ado Bayero died last June. Abbas Sanusi who has been in the Kano emirate council since the 1950s was declared Galadiman Kano at the end […]

Sunday Trust reports that Wambai who was born in Bichi local government area of Kano state in 1933 was one of the contenders for the stool of Kano Emir when Ado Bayero died last June.
Abbas Sanusi who has been in the Kano emirate council since the 1950s was declared Galadiman Kano at the end of the weekly meeting of the Kano emirate council chaired by the emir on Wednesday.
Speaking during the turbaning ceremony of Wambai as Galadiman Kano, Sanusi said Wambai was selected based on his commitment to the development of the Kano emirate council and the state in general.
According to the emir, for years, the new Galadima has been given the emirate council quality leadership that saw to the development of the Kano traditional institution.
“You were given the position because of your commitment and doggedness to the development of the Kano emirate council.  You were also considered for the position in view of your tremendous commitment to the promotion of Islam in the state and the country.
“Aside from the Sarki Bai, the district head of Dambatta, Alhaji Mukhtar Adnan you are the oldest member of the Kano emirate council, you are the oldest person in the palace. We also looked at the roles you have been playing in alleviating the suffering of our subjects among others,” he said when the new Galadima paid him homage shortly after he was turbaned.
He prayed Allah to continue to guide and give the new Galadima the health and wisdom to continue to contribute in the development of the Kano traditional institution.
Our correspondent reports that as early as 9.am, dignitaries from across the state and beyond stormed the Kano emir’s palace with majority of them dressed in traditional regalia.
From the 44 local government areas of Kano state, Zazzau emirate council, the Sultanate council, the Jigawa emirate council among others, traditional rulers thronged the palace in order to witness the ceremony.   
It would be recalled that the last time that a Galadima was turbaned in Kano state was in 1992 when the late Galadiman Kano, Alhaji Tijjani Hashim was turbaned by the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero. Hashim died at the age of 81. He died penultimate Monday at his Abuja residence.
The title of Galadiman Kano was introduced in the Kano emirate council during the ‘Habe’ dynasty before the Fulani era in 1804 and it was the highest title in the Kano emirate council until in 1890 when the title of Waziri was borrowed by the emirate council from the Sokoto Sultanate council.
At the moment, the position of Galadiman Kano is the second in terms of hierarchy in the Kano emirate council following the waziri position.
The appointment of Abbas Sanusi, an uncle of the present emir of Kano Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has added a cap to him. He was the most senior councillor in the Kano emirate council.
With this elevation, he is the chairman of the finance committee of the Kano emirate council, the head of princes of the emirate and as well as the senior councillor in the council.
At the peak of the illness of late emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, he was the one piloting the affairs of the emirate council while the emir was abroad on medical trip.
When the emir stool became vacant in June following the death of Ado Bayero, Alhaji Abbas Sanusi was one of the princes in the Kano ruling families that struggled to succeed the late Emir.
Abbas Sanusi was defeated by his nephew, the former governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi when the Kano kingmakers nominated the ex banker for the stool.
Born in 1933 in Bichi local government area of Kano state, the new Galadima started his academic life at the Kofar Kudu elementary school in 1944. On completion, he proceeded to the Kano middle school now known as Rumfa College in 1948 at the same time with the late Galadiman Kano, Alhaji Tijjani Hashim.
In an interview with the new Galadiman Kano, Alhaji Abbas Sanusi thanked the Emir for elevating him to the position of Galadima.
“The emir has done the same thing the previous emirs have done to me. Since my coming to the palace in the 50s, all the emirs that served in my presence have pushed me forward in term of title, making me to advance further in hierarchy.
“My father, Muhammadu Sanusi made me Sarkin-Dawakin Tsakar Gida in 1959 and the district head of Ungongo local government area. After my dad left, the emir of Kano, Muhammadu Inuwa made me Dan Iyan Kano in 1962 and when he died and Ado Bayero was made the emir, he made me the Wambai Kano.
“I have been occupying the Wambai position until today when my own son (Nephew) elevated me to this position.  Longevity of life has brought me to a time when my son has elevated me to the position of Galadiman Kano. I thank Allah and the emir for this elevation,” he said.
Sunday  Trust reports that the new Galadiman who was the son of Mohammed Sanusi has 38 children and 87 grandchildren.  
Late Tijjani Hashim occupied the position for 22 years, he died at 81. He was born on December 30th 1933. The new Galadima is 81 years old; he was born the same year with his predecessor.