Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state, on Monday presented to Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli the staff of office as the 19th Emir of Zazzau.
Bamalli was appointed on October 7 to succeed Shehu Idris who died in September after reigning for 45 years.
The diplomat is said to be the first Emir from the Mallawa ruling house in 100 years.
Speaking during the installation ceremony which was held in Zaria, Kaduna state, el-Rufai asked Bamalli to discharge his duties bearing in mind that his era is different from that of his predecessors.
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El-Rufai, who described the occasion as a historic moment, said he is the “first elected public servant to appoint an Emir of Zazzau in an independent, democratic setting”.
“I am delighted to join the people of Zazzau Emirate for the presentation of the Staff of Office to His Highness, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, the 19th Emir of Zazzau, the first born after independence. This is a historic moment,” el-Rufai said.
“Your Highness ascends the throne in a much changed era to that of your illustrious predecessors. These are more modern times, with fresh opportunities and many old and new challenges. Ours is an incredibly young state, with 89% of residents being younger than 35 years.
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“We are grappling with expanding the opportunities for jobs, sound education and decent healthcare that can help channel this youthfulness as a positive resource. Some of our communities are menaced by security challenges
“We need better data about who lives in the state, what they do and what facilities exist or are required in the communities in which they reside. The traditional institution can be a vital partner in addressing these challenges.
“This occasion of handing over the Staff of Office to the 19th Fulani Emir of Zazzau is taking place exactly 100 years since the colonial Governor of Northern Region, Herbert Symonds Goldsmith, unjustly deposed your grandfather, Emir Aliyu Dan-Sidi of blessed memory.”
The governor said his administration is working on a new law to strengthen and enhance the capacity of the traditional institution by providing clearly defined roles for the Emir in community governance.
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“The new law will also legislate clear dynastic succession order in all emirates and chiefdoms with more than one ruling house,” he said.
He called on all those who contested the Emirship to “accept the will of Allah” and join hands with Bamalli.
“I also appeal to the title holders, district heads, members of the Emirate Council, the good people of Zazzau Emirate, and indeed all the citizens of Kaduna State to rally around our new Emir by extending to him their full support and cooperation,” he said.
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