Senator Iroegbu
28 October 2008
Lagos — Two years ago, a calamity befell the nation in an air crash that claimed the life of the 19th Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Maccido and other illustrious citizens. In this tribute, Senator Iroegbu writes that the lessons of the late Sultan's simplicity albeit the enormous power he wielded, remains relevant for today's rulers
A popular cliché says death is inevitable, but for ages, man has failed to unravel the mystery of when, how and where he will kiss his grave. This follows that while some deaths are natural and preventable, others are unnatural and highly preventable. This distinct has been a cause for debate among different beliefs with some believing that death, no matter how it emanates is the perfect will of God. "When the appointed time comes there is nothing one can do", they say.
However, death, whether natural or unnatural, preventable or appointed, is never cheerful news to the living because it comes with it, bitter memories, anger and despair for the living. The subject is scarcely mentioned because it has touched both the most powerful, as well as the weakest, spared neither the good nor the wicked and has visited both the rich and the poor.
This best captures the tragedy that visited Nigeria on the October 29, 2006, when 97 out of 105 people died on board the ill-fated ADC aircraft that crashed minutes after take-off from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. The unfortunate incident that was described by some as 'one death too many' was one of the darkest moments of the nation's history and particularly to Islam and Sokoto State.
The crash that rocked the nerves of the nation took the lives of some of the most influential figures in the socio-political and economic affairs of the nation. The Sokoto-bound plane had some of the most illustrious sons of Sokoto and Kebbi states including the President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, the 19th Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido.
The death of the Sultan sent shocking waves across the nation because of who he is and what he stood for. Loved by both Christians and Muslims alike, the man was a bundle of virtue that anyone would have wished to tap from.
He was regarded as one of the most influential traditional rulers in Africa and his sudden demise created a big vacuum in the Nigerian religious and socio-political dynamics. His diplomacy has been largely responsible for stemming the tide of a movement in Northern Nigeria towards the strict imposition of Sharia law as some of the northern states have indeed adopted it leading to serious loss of lives. If not for candid intervention of the Sultan in concert with his Christian counterparts, things could have been much worse as Christians in the Sharia states took to the streets to protest with emotions running high in both camps.
Similarly, the conciliatory nature of the late Sultan helped at influencing the north positively on issues of national importance that former President Olusegun Obasanjo called him "Great Man of Peace". Maccido used his influence to get some northern governors who were opposed to a vaccination campaign against polio to change their minds. And he was a strong supporter of Nigeria 's HIV/AIDS campaign. "A traditional ruler with such an enlightened view of life will be difficult to replace", said a source
Although his heritage was enough to accord him respect throughout the Islamic world and beyond, he was particularly well regarded for qualities that were entirely personal to him. He was gentle, well-spoken person and known for his humility. Former President Shehu Shagari called him a man who acts more than he speaks for the common good of mankind.
Speaking about his virtues, former President Shehu Shagari said, "As far as I know him as a Sultan, he has always been listening to advice, he respects people who give him advice, he hardly does anything without seeking or consulting those who know, to brief him. That's for him as a person, he never does something without first consulting those who know, that is one of his qualities. He does not rush or dictate things.
"In fact, those who worked for him and did not know his ideals think that he is too quiet, that he doesn't even speak but he does, just that he acts more than he speaks. His actions are obvious and everybody knows that he has done some things that are very good but because he seeks advice from the people who know and he respects them. That is his very, very good qualities. Other people who may not know will say he is too quiet, he is too peaceful, but that is a strong asset."
The late Sultan's loyalty and passion for national development was never in doubt which is underscored by his rapid response to matters of national importance. It is on record that he died on a mission for national duty as it will be recalled that the Sultan was invited to Abuja to attend the Presidential Forum on Education, the main reason behind the interactive session was just to tell people that, government was not planning to privatize unity schools in the country. What it actually planned to do, is a government- private sector initiative that is meant to bail out the crucial sector from decay.
Indeed, the life and times of Sultan Maccido confirmed that good conduct and morality are major ingredients or sine qua non for the growth and progress of any society simple or complex, and history of nations never denied this. There is no doubt that his unique exemplary leadership and moral excellence provided us with rare opportunities to continue to live and not only live but also happily as brothers and sisters without inflicting injury to fellow human beings.
Advocating for the immortalization of the Sultan's legacies, the co-coordinator/editor-in-chief, Sakkwato Historical Project, Bello Junaidu, said that if we accommodate these values as was practiced by Sultan Maccido to our characters, the society would be rid of all ill-manners retarding progress in all aspects of our undertakings. Sultan Maccido has been a colossus, epitome and paragon of patience and endurance, reservoir of moral quality, true leader of the caliphate both in words and actions which up to the time of his demise these qualities have never changed.
Thus, there is no doubt that this man of peace will forever remain a source of inspiration to both Muslims and Christians, men and women who want to be a positive influence in the society. A direct descendant of Usman dan Fodio, the Muslim leader who, in the 19th century, engaged in a fierce jihad to spread Islam into three-quarters of what is now the West African region, Muhammadu Maccido was born in 1926 in the village of Dange, a few miles from Sokoto, where his father was district head. He was the miracle child who survived after three of his siblings had died shortly after their birth and his father named him "Maccido", an expressive prayer in Fulfulde language meaning, "Let him survive!" And he did survive to be enrolled at Dange elementary school at the age of seven. He continued his education at the Sokoto Middle School where he was taught by President Shagari, and then the Clerical Training College, Zaria.
His professional and academic journey took him further to England in 1952, to the South Devon Technical College Torqua, where he obtained Diploma in Public Administration. It will be noteworthy to state here that his course mates included people destined (just like him) to play an important part in the administration of Northern Nigeria, including Prince Muhammadu Bashir (now Emir of Daura); Prince Muhammadu Bahago (now Emir of Minna), and Prince Bello (now Emir of Paiko).
Politically, the late Sultan has been a crucial actor through his active participation in pre-colonial and post colonial administration of the country. Groomed by the famous Sarduana of Sokoto, the first premier of Northern Nigeria, Dr. Ahmadu Bello, Maccido served in the Sokoto Native Administration and subsequently elected as a member of the Northern Regional Legislative Assembly for Kaduna under the aegis of the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC). He was appointed the Minister of Agriculture in 1969, and later became Sokoto State chairman of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), which ruled the Federation from 1979 to 1983. Shagari made Maccido his liaison officer in Sokoto State.
Obviously, his exemplary pious life is well reflected in his handling of his duties as he was the only Presidential Liaison Officer (PLO) that was never indicted by the Buhari/Idiagbon regime. He was never found wanting, which is a lesson for all of us in the fight against corruption and indiscipline. Sultan Maccido used his exalted throne which he occupied for over ten years to advance the cause of good in line with the teachings of the beloved prophet Muhammadu (S.A.W).
Be the first to Write a Comment!
AllAfrica aggregates and indexes content from over 125 African news organizations, plus more than 200 other sources, who are responsible for their own reporting and views. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica.
