Lawal Ibrahim
12 July 2008
Katsina — Apart from the official coronation of the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, as the 50th emir, the historic event was full of colour and spectacles. Weekly Trust brings you some of the attractions that added great panache to the event at the Katsina Polo ground.
Friday, July 4, a day to the ceremony, the entire city of Katsina was already in a festive mood. Major streets were dotted with banners, billboards and paintings all in preparation for the grand event.
Apart from the state government, some private organisations also used the opportunity to promote their products and services through congratulatory advertisements on banners placed at some strategic locations.
As early as 6 a.m. on Saturday, July 5, sounds of sirens emanating from cars of dignitaries coming into Katsina town ushered in the day. Many of them who came from far and near arrived Katsina early enough to secure a few accommodation available on time. Soon after, the arrival of emirs and chiefs, the FCT Minister, Aliyu Modibbo and Governors of Enugu, Edo, Kaduna, Gombe and the Deputy Governors of Zamfara, Sokoto, Taraba and Kebbi states joined the trail as distinguished guests.
The representative of President Umaru Musa Yar'adua at the occasion, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, also added colour to the event along with the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) presidential candidate in the last election, retired General Muhammadu Buhari.
Other dignitaries included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe; Defence Minister, Yayale Ahmed and over 50 emirs and chiefs from across the country.
Many guests, few accommodation
Although most dignitaries had no problem with accommodation, however, their aides had to scramble to secure accommodation in the few available hotels. Indeed, it was brisk business for the hospitality industry.
Because of scarce accommodation, Weekly Trust gathered that some of the traditional rulers spent the night in one of the political parties' offices around the city.
Sirens, drumbeats blare the air
The ceremony which commenced at about 11a.m., two hours behind schedule, started with the arrival of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole along with the state governors.
The presentation of the staff of office by Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina state was the height of the process to appoint an emir which started in March following the presentation of an appointment letter and the subsequent coronation by kingmakers in April.
The presentation doesn't only symbolise royalty but the final confirmation of authority by the kingmakers and the entire people of Katsina.
To the residents, it was not an occasion to ignore as most business activities were shut down. A sizeable number of motorcycle operators known as Okada were also not left out of the epoch event. However, to petty traders, it was another opportunity for brisk business.
Sachet water vendors, food and beverage sellers and other traders created a mini market at entry points to the Polo ground.
Drum beats emanating from thousands of drums also vibrated the air amidst praise singing, dancing and gyration from drummers. Weekly Trust gathered that some of them came all the way from Niger Republic. Bello Mai Ganga who came from Gombe, told Weekly Trust that his three- man band was invited to Katsina for a wedding occasion by Katsina based business mogul, Dahiru Mangal, but decided to hang on to attend the royal event.
Other entertainers who graced the occasion included human mascots, jesters and magicians. One spectacular display by the magicians was the crushing of broken bottles with the teeth. Other magicians popularly referred to as Yantauri in Hausa also displayed their skills with knives. They displayed bravery by stabbing parts of their body continuously without cutting any portion. Stilt walkers were also not left out of the celebration.
The Buhari factor
Another aspect of the event which attracted attention of many guests was the unique arrival of retired General Muhammadu Buhari at the venue. His arrival took many observers by surprise.
Many thought he would not honour the royal invitation because since he joined partisan politics, he hardly attends any government organised event. Many observers said his decision to honour the event might have informed President Yar'adua's decision not to attend the event.
Comments such as "they have not been inviting him before", "it's because he knows Yar'adua is not coming that is why he came", " he came because the new emir is his man", "Yar'adua sent Bankole to avoid the event," dominated discussions throughout the day..
While most people were left in suspense, any time his name was mentioned during the speeches, echoes of applause vibrated the entire venue. It continued repeatedly throughout the speeches of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar, Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State, Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero and Speaker, Dimeji Bankole. Attempts by the police to stop the crowd failed. Weekly Trust gathered that some of the police personnel at the venue refused to be dragged into stopping the crowd. Our correspondent overheard one of the officers saying to his boss, "Oga we better allow them because this thing will create a problem here."
Who should administer oath?
Another issue which attracted argument was the decision to appoint the state's Attorney General to administer the oath to the emir. Many people regarded the move as political. They argued that it was the responsibility of the state's Grand Khadi under the traditional Islamic system to administer the oath.
Weekly Trust gathered that in 1944, Alkali Ibrahim administered the oath to the late Emir Usman Nagogo, the grandfather of the present emir. His son, Ibrahim Dodo, did the same to late Emir Kabir Usman Nagogo in1982.
Miscreants not left out
Miscreants were also not left out of the thrill. Pickpockets had a field day; a number of handsets were stolen. They took advantage of the mad rush to steal items such as handsets, wrist watches and other pocket items.
Total allegiance
The staff of office presentation was not without some traditional touches. For instance, the royal bed was prepared on the pavilion where the emir sits and receives homage from the kingmakers and other senior council members. The chairman of the kingmakers (Kauran Katsina) presented him with a sword called Gajera; Galadiman Katsina, Justice Mamman Nasir, beat the traditional drum of authority seven times; Yandakan Katsina, Balangogo, also a kingmaker, presented a steel pot (Tukunyar Karfe) and Governor Shema was finally called upon to make the presentation of the royal stick as a staff of office to the emir and then deliver his speech.
Another attraction was the colourful durbar display. The mini durbar staged by the emirate's riders adorned in colourful traditional attires showcased dexterity and skills in horse riding.
The mini durbar depicted the relics of Katsina culture and the historical efforts of the ancient warriors who fought for the stabilization of Katsina as a united cultural entity. It was a symbol of the ancient days when emirs as warriors prepared for battles. Closely following the durbar was a group of hunters and part of the army contingents. Their role was to uplift the morale of the soldiers to face their enemies with all zeal.
The only difference was that while the emir was in the ancient days protected by the likes of Danwaire, Kaura Ama, Korau and the rest, today's durbar was staged by title holders like the retired IGP, Ibrahim Coomasie (Sardaunan Katsina), GMD, NNPC Abubakar Yar'adua (Jakadan Katsina), Senator Ibrahim Ida (Danmajen Katsina), Alhaji Tukur Mani (Tafarkin Katsina) and Lamis Dikko (Ajiyan Katsina), Iro DanFuloti (Sarkin Fulotin Katsina) among others.
In a speech during the occasion earlier, Governor Shema had emphasized the role of the traditional institution as the symbol of our culture and history.
Shema also recounted the history of the contributions of Katsina Emirate since the period of Muhammadu Korau (1348-1398 AD), to that of Muhammadu Dikko, the founder of the Sullubawa dynasty down to Usman Nagogo and the immediate past Kabir Usman Nagogo, describing the present emir, Usman as an experienced public officer and a traditional administrator who has the background and qualifications to continue with the history of leadership which has made Katsina unique.
Checklist of guests
In attendance were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe; Minister of Defence, Yayale Ahmed; former Governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu; former Speaker, House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari; the first civilian governor of Katsina State, Saidu Barda and former military governors of Katsina State, retired General Lawrance Onoja and Colonel Yahana Madaki, President, Court of Appeal, Justice Umaru Abdullahi; Commander General, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ade Abolurin and former Chief of Army Staff, General Salihu Ibrahim and many lawmakers and politicians.
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