NEWSROYALE Regal grandeur as 15th emir of Keffi mounts throne
It was a combination of personalities from all walks of life as the Keffi Emirate in Nasarawa State installed their 15th emir in grand style.
The ancient town of Keffi in Nasarawa State last Saturday witnessed the best of traditions with the installation and presentation of First Class staff of office to its 15th Emir, Dr Shehu Chindo Yamusa III. The fanfare was not restricted to the best of Keffi alone but from other lands with the presence of prominent monarchs from across the country.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, Lamido Adamawa, Dr Muhammadu Barkindo Mustapha, Emir of Zazzua, Alhaji Shehu Idris, Emir of Bauchi, Rilwanu Suleimanu Adamu, Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar and Aku Uka, Dr. Shekarau Angyu Masa Ibi Kuvyon ll among other distinguished traditional ruler added colour.
Apart from the traditional rulers for northern extraction, emirs and chiefs within the state also graced the occasion held at the famous Government College Keffi with their palace guards and cultural troops adding more colour.
Prominent politicians across the country including some serving and former governors, senators, ministers, retired military generals, senior government officials, members of the diplomatic community, prominent sons and daughters from the state as well as friends and well-wishers of the new emir among the dignitaries also graced the grand event.
The spectacular gathering also witnessed gridlocks of highly exotics cars with special features that brought the dignitaries which turned the event into a mini tourist attraction as thousands of spectators watched an array of unfamiliar display of cars.
There was a blend and flurry of colours from the city centre to the venue of the event. People were dressed in their respective cultural attires playing various musical instruments and dancing.
Daily Trust on Sunday gathered that the uniqueness of the occasion underscored the link between the Sokoto Caliphate and the Keffi Emirate established by Abdu Zanga, popularly known as Abdullahi Zanga in 1788 who received the Sultanate flag from the Emir of Zazzau. That was why it was for a long time customary for the Emir of Keffi to be turbaned in Zaria after nomination.
The new emir ascended the throne after the passage of his father Alhaji Muhammadu Chindo Yamusa II, who was longest serving emir in the history of the emirate having spent 37 years on the throne. He died on December 4, 2015 at the aged of 70 years. Now, Dr Yamusa III, the great grandson of Abdu Zanga would not only preside over the Keffi Emirate Council but is the deputy chairman Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs and member Northern states Council of Chiefs and The Chancellor, Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
An academic and author, the emir was born on November 4, 1966 and acquired his elementary education at Baptist Primary School Keffi in 1989 before processing to Plato College, Sharam, Plateau State completing in 1987. He obtained a Diploma in Law from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in 1989 and subsequently earned a Bachelor of Law degree from the Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto in 1996.
The monarch was called to Bar after attending the Nigeria Law School Lagos in 1999 upon completion of National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) scheme in 1998 with EXXOM Mobil.
He proceeded to the University of Dundee in Scotland, United Kingdom for Master of Law (LLM Legume Master) in 2004. Upon his return, he was appointed Administrative Officer with the Nasarawa State Government and posted to the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) as state Desk Officer coordinating UNICEF activities. He also served as member of the national working group committee on the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD).
Dr Yamusa III moved to National Universities Commission in 2009 and was appointed Principal Academic Standard Officer with major responsibilities on legal drafting. He was later appointed Lecturer I in the Faculty of Law, Nasarawa State University, Keffi in 2011 making him the only lecturer who specializes in Environmental Law and Policy and oil related issues.
In 2011, the emir proceeded to the International Islamic University, Malaysia and bagged a Doctorate Degree of Philosophy (Law) with specialization on renewable energy and sustainable development. He return to the Nasarawa State University as lecturer and the Faculty Examination Officer until his selection and appointed by the Nasarawa State Government as the 15th Emir of Keffi on December 14, 2015.
Speaking shortly before the installation, Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State said the presence of an array of sons and daughters, friends and wellwishers showed love and compassion and no doubt a demonstration of goodwill and solidarity to the paramount ruler on the one hand and unflinching support which has enabled government to elevate the status of the traditional institution, on the other hand.
According to him, since coming on board, the state government has remained consistent in her determination to ensure the inclusion of traditional rulers in the Constitution to enable the institution to continue to play its pivotal role as custodians of traditions, customs, heritage and indeed, the conscience of the society.
He added the selection of the emir to succeed his father not only in the insignia of kingship, but in the ability to unite his people has given hope to the people of Keffi for a better living.
The emir appreciated governor and the kingmakers for the goodwill and honour done on him and paid tribute to his forebears for working diligently to maintain peace, love and understanding among diverse people of the emirate.
He assured of the emirate council’s loyalty and support and pledged his commitment to collaborate with the state government to promote skills acquisition to alleviate unemployment.
Dr Yamusa III appealed to the people of Keffi, Nasarawa State and the country to embraced agriculture as means of reviving individual and the nation’s economy pointing out that agriculture has been the mainstay of the economy and God has blessed the country with human and natural resources to harness the sector.
Governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Sokoto State, Simon Lalong of Plateau State and Samuel Ortom of Benue State were among the dignitaries that graced the occasion.