Grand durbar as Emir of Deba received first class staff of office
People of the ancient town of Deba, the headquarters of Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State were thrilled to a colourful durbar, pomp and grandeur when Alhaji Ahmed Usman was presented with the staff of office and enthroned as the second Emir of Deba.
Emir Usman was appointed by Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo on August 8, 2017 following the demise of the first emir, Lieutenant-Colonel Abubakar Waziri Mahdi (rtd).
The Deba District was upgraded to an emirate status by then Governor Habu Hashidu in the year 2000 and afterwards late Lt. Colonel Mahdi (rtd) was presented with staff of office as the first Emir of Deba.
On the day of the coronation, thousands of residents, other invited guests including top government functionaries, emirs from within and outside the state, politicians as well as well-wishers of the emir and the emirate thronged the emir’s palace to witness the epoch-making event.
At about 11:00 am, Emir Ahmed Usman alighted from his palace clad in a multi-coloured Alkyabba, adorned with colourful embroidery amidst cheers from praise singers and palace courtiers. He sat inside a canopy specifically mounted at the centre of the palace courtyard where he received other traditional regalia from the king makers, signifying his ascension to the throne of his fore fathers.
Before the emir was presented with the staff of office, the renowned cultural troop, Ngorda traditional dancers, which won the state accolades across the country, showcased their talent to thousands of guests.
In his speech, Governor Dankwambo called on the emir and other traditional rulers to maintain peace in their domains by reporting any person whose activities may disrupt law and order.
He also sought the wise counsel and prayers of the emir and other traditional and religious leaders for a successful elections and hitch free transition in the state.
Governor Dankwambo added that his administration will not relent on its responsibility and pledged to continue assisting the police and other security agencies to protect lives and properties of the residents.
In his acceptance speech, Emir Usman described the presentation of the staff of office to him as an honour and pride to all people of the Deba emirate.
“The entire good people of Deba Emirate would forever be grateful to Governor Dankwambo for the honour done to this great emirate. I will therefore do my best to ensure justice and fairness in discharging my duties,” he pledged.
Chairman of the occasion and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed, called on the emir and other traditional rulers to assist the northern Nigerian politicians and elites with policy issues to help restore the lost glory of the region.
Yayale also advised the new emir to be just and fair to his subjects and urged him to fear Allah in all his affairs.
Immediately after the installation formalities, district heads and other traditional title holders from the emirate staged a grand durbar procession to entertain the governor and other invited guests.
Our correspondent reports that prior to the presentation of staff and other traditional regalia to the emir, on Friday he conferred traditional titles to five distinguished daughters of the emirate at a colourful ceremony held at the palace.
Daughters of onetime civilian governor of old Bauchi State, late Alhaji Dahiru Mohammed Deba; Hajiya Aishatu was conferred with Annurin Deba and Hajiya Halima as Tauraruwan Deba.
Others are Fatima Mohammed Santana as Garkuwan Matan Deba, Kulu Tela-Sidi as Wakiliyan Matan Deba and Abu Gurkuma as Sarkin Kudu of Deba.
Emir Usman was born in Deba in 1963 into the royal family of the then District Head of Deba, Alhaji Usman Maji Buba, the 35th chief of Deba district. He hailed from the Kuji Buba clan that has presided over the Deba district since 1897.
He was at Central Primary School Deba from 1970 to 1976 where he received his First Leaving School Certificate. He then attended Government Secondary School Bauchi from 1976 to 1981 for his secondary school certificate.
He gained admission into the School of Basic Studies, Zaria from 1981 to 1982, after which he was admitted into Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for his Bachelor of Science degree in Quantity Survey and finished in 1986.
After his graduation, the young prince was posted to Oyo State for the mandatory one year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). He started his working career in the old Bauchi State Government with the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport from 1987 to 1996.
He was redeployed to Gombe State as a Principal Quantity Surveyor after the creation of the state in 1996.
Emir Usman served in the ministry and rose to the rank of Deputy Director in 2010 and transferred his services to the federal civil service as assistant director and pioneer Head of Monitoring and Evaluation Unit at the Border Community Development Agency (BCDA), Abuja.
He was appointed by Governor Dankwambo as Senior Special Assistant on Due Process from 2015 to 2017. He reached the pinnacle of his career in 2017 when he was elevated to the rank of Permanent Secretary and Head of Due Process Unit, a position he held until his appointment as emir of Deba.
Emir Usman was once appointed as District Head of Ge-Lambam by then Governor Hashidu in 2000, a position he held up to 2003.
The coronation ceremony was attended by several emirs across the country which includes; Emir of Bauchi, Alhaji Rilwan Sulaiman Adamu who represented the Sultan of Sokoto, emirs of Gwoza, Biu, Kaltungo, Yamaltu, Pindiga, Akko and Potiskum among others.