The making of Gaya’s third firstclass emir

NHe started his career as a clerical officer and rose to the post of chief accountant. He retired as Bursar at the Audu Bako College of Agriculture Kano a few months before he was appointed as the emir of Gaya

orthern Nigerian history has shown that Gaya is the oldest and most significant site in Kano's history. It was also believed that Gaya had played a very vital role in the foundation of what is presently known today as Kano State.

Indeed, Gaya has been a nucleus of various historical happenings; however, based on the importance of Gaya on 1st April 1981, the then executive governor of old Kano State Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar Rimi announced the creation of four new emirs that were also co-equal with the emir of Kano. The newly created emirates were Auyo, Dutse, Gaya and Rano.

The newly created emirs were an addition to other emirs of second-class status namely Hadejia, Gumel and Kazaure of the old Kano State that were also promoted to first class status.

In 1983, the then newly elected Kano State Governor Alhaji Sabo Bakin Zuwo reverted all the promoted emirs to their initial status amidst mixed reactions from various sections of the state.

After over three decades of its first elevation, Gaya Emirate was along three others elevated to first class emirates in May 2019 by the Governor Ganduje-led administration. With the elevation, late Emir of Gaya, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulkadir Gaya, became the second first class emir in the history of Gaya.

In September 2021, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdulkadir died at the age of 91. The late emir had been on the throne since his appointment in 1990 before his elevation in 2019 alongside three other traditional rulers. Prior to his enthronement as Sarkin Gaya, the late second first-class emir of Gaya was previously the district head of Kunchi and then Minjibir respectively.

In the same September 2021, Gaya kingmakers submitted three names out of which a son of the late emir, who doubles as Ciroman Gaya, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim, was selected as the new emir by the governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, thereby making him the third first class emir in the history of Gaya kingdom.

That day was a day of celebration for the people of Gaya as Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Usman Alhaji, made the announcement. The new emir succeeded his father and until his appointment as the third first class emir of Gaya, Alhaji Aliyu was the Chiroman Gaya.

A retired civil servant, born in the ancient city of Kano State, he did his primary school at Kofar Na’isa Primary School. He attended Kano State Polytechnic as well as the prestigious Bayero University Kano.

He started his career as a clerical officer and rose to the post of chief accountant. He retired as Bursar at the Audu Bako College of Agriculture Kano a few months before he was appointed as the emir of Gaya.

The Emir of Gaya believes in being humble, respectful and generous. According to many people who know the emir, Sarkin Gaya has been destined to be the emir of Gaya and it has been the wish of many people that he succeeds his father.

When paying homage to the new emir, member of the House of Represenatives representing Albasu, Gaya and Ajingi federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Abdullahi Mahmud, urged the new emir to unite members of the ruling house and the entire emirate as a leader to all.

Emir of Gaya’s palace

"Our prayer is for you to be the peoples’ emir and leader to all, as well as to be able to treat all subjects fairly in the course of discharging your duties," Mahmud said.

It was reliably gathered that the new emir of Gaya has succeeded in bringing together those that were in contrary view with the creation of the new emirates in the state. His simplicity and respect for all has endeared him to many, including those that objected initially on the creation of new emirates.

As the emir is being crowned, his subjects aere optimistic that the emirate will witness an era of massive development as the people of Gaya get ready to benefit from the wealth of the emir’s experience and his forthrightness as a leader.

However, during the coronation lectures which were parts of events lined up for Gaya emir's coronation, Governor Ganduje described traditional institutions as custodian of history, culture, values, morals and ethics, adding that they have a role to play in tackling insecurity bedevilling the country.

"The traditional rulers possess qualities such as experience and wisdom and give advice that prevents and solves conflicts," said Ganduje.