Sokoto stands still as Sultan turbans Rep. Ibrahim Almustapha Aliyu as Bauran Sokoto, twelve others
Sokoto stands still as Sultan turbans Rep. Ibrahim Almustapha Aliyu as Bauran Sokoto, twelve others
From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
Sokoto, the Seat of the Caliphate, stood still on Sunday as the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, made history with the turbaning of thirteen eminent personalities of national and international repute with prestigious traditional titles as part of activities marking the 20th Anniversary of his ascension to the throne of his forebears.
The epochal ceremony which held at the Sultanate Palace, Sokoto attracted dignitaries from all walks of life including traditional rulers, top government functionaries, members of the National Assembly, Islamic scholars, captains of industry and thousands of well wishers who trooped out to witness the historic occasion.
The main investiture ceremony was conducted between 11:00am and 11:30am at the Sultanate Council and was immediately followed by a colourful traditional Durbar and Bukin Aski that added glamour and pageantry to the celebration.
Those honoured with traditional titles include the former Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede as Kuliyan Sokoto, former Director General of the Nigerian Television Authority, Dr. Peter Igho as Kakakin Sokoto, Gandi Umar Esq as Sarkin Galmar Sarkin Musulmi, a renowned lecturer at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto and Chief Imam of Abu Huraira Mosque, Prof. Mansur Ibrahim as Danmasanin Sokoto.
Others were Alhaji Murtala Abdulkadir Dan’iya as Dallatun Sokoto, Abdulkadir Jeli Bello as Sarkin Fuloti Sokoto, Abubakar Saddique Abubakar as Sarkin Dawakin Tsakar Gida Sokoto, Shehu Usman Abubakar as Fagacin Sokoto, Hon. Bello Idris as Wakilin Tarihin Daular Usmaniyya, Hon. Ibrahim Almustapha Aliyu Rabah as Bauran Sokoto, Aminu Isa Buhari as Danmalikin Sokoto, Dr. Balarabe Kakale Shehu Shuni as Wakilin Makarantar Daular Usmaniyya and Abubakar Hussaini Bazza as Sarkin Bai Sokoto.
Activities marking the 20th Anniversary had commenced on Friday October 30 with special preaching sessions at the Abu Huraira Mosque, Polo Club area, Sokoto where eleven prominent Islamic scholars including Sheikh Dr. Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa and Prof. Abdullahi Usman Gadon Kaya delivered soul inspiring sermons on peace unity and development.
In the spirit of the celebration, the organizing committees for the titles of Dallatun Sokoto and Danmasanin Sokoto carried out humanitarian gestures including the freeing of fifty six inmates from correctional facilities and the provision of support to five hundred patients across hospitals in Sokoto State.
Among the honourees is: Hon. Arc. Ibrahim Almustapha Aliyu, the incumbent member representing Wurno and Rabah Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives who was turbaned as Bauran Sokoto.
Born on 20th August 1973 in Sokoto, Hon. Aliyu is a seasoned Architect who bagged his BSc and MSc in Architecture from Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and a Diploma in Urban and Economic Development from Galilee College Israel.
A Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Architects and Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants, Hon. Aliyu has held several strategic positions in the National Assembly including Chairman House Committee on Alternative Education, Deputy Chairman Committee on Urban Development and Regional Planning, Chairman Special Ad-hoc Committee on Petroleum Subsidy Regime and Chairman Nigeria Hungary Parliamentary Friendship Group in the 10th National Assembly.
As a professional, he has designed and supervised numerous landmark projects including the passenger terminal and protocol lounge at Sultan Abubakar International Airport Sokoto, Wamakko Grand Jumaat Mosque, International Conference Centre Sokoto, High Court of Justice Sokoto, administrative blocks at Shehu Shagari College of Education and mass housing projects across the twenty three local government areas of Sokoto State.
The ceremony was widely described by attendees as a celebration of merit, service and loyalty to the Sokoto Caliphate and Nigeria at large, while many extolled the Sultan’s twenty years of purposeful, peaceful and highly impactful leadership which has fostered unity among Muslims and promoted peaceful coexistence in the country.
While applauding the Sultan of Sokoto for bestowing him with the highly revered traditional title, Arch. Ibrahim Almustapha Aliyu, promised that it would spur him to sustain his myriad of philanthropic gestures as well as offer quality representation at the National Assembly.
