A filmmaker, Zainab Ado Bayero, has commented on the legacy of her father, the late Emir of Kano, Ado Abdullahi Bayero. He passed away on June 6, 2014 after nearly 51 years on the throne.
Ahead of the 10th posthumous anniversary, Zainab, who recently unveiled a documentary ‘My Father, the Emir: A Portrait of Ado Bayero’, described the former traditional ruler as a man of peace and great attributes.
“His greatest legacy was being a peacemaker. He took up the mantle to preach calm during the most turbulent times in Nigeria. He was the emir of a very volatile city but always encouraged his people to resist violence or aggression.
“My dad was a patriot; he believed in the unity of this great country. He was a man who believed that every Nigerian, irrespective of their tribe or religion, should live in peace and harmony,” she recalled.
On the Nigerian economy, Zainab urged President Bola Tinubu and his team to implement policies that cushion the adverse effects of economic hardships and increase the citizens’ living standards.
“The President should take his time and try to tackle the economic situation. The inflation, increasing market and fuel prices are having a great strain on the daily lives of the people,” the royal family member observed.
“The President should also unite Nigerians; there’s a lot of anger amongst different tribes. If the citizens feel safe and are able to afford basic necessities like food, shelter and school fees, they would have hope in their nation.”
Zainab also weighed in on the Kano emirate tussle, a controversial matter that has taken a dramatic turn and is now in court. She described the situation as “unfortunate” and appealed to all parties to handle it with caution.
“The emirate has existed for a thousand years. There have been/will always be battles for supremacy in the quest for power, particularly in royal families. But traditional institutions should be respected and not used as a pawn in political games,” she said.
On Wednesday, the National Judicial Council (NJC) invited the Chief Judges of the Federal High Court and the High Court of Kano State to appear before it on Thursday, May 30.
The senior judiciary officers are to meet with the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola, regarding the confusion arising from their conflicting orders on the kingship battle.
Last Friday, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf directed the immediate reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano after deposing the 15th Emir, Aminu Bayero.
Earlier, the State House of Assembly passed the amended Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 in consonance with the provision of Section 4 of the Constitution 1999, as amended.
Governor Yusuf’s signing of the bill into law repealed the 2019 version which balkanized the ancient Kano Emirate into five emirates namely: Bichi, Gaya, Kano, Karaye, and Rano.
