The Emir of Katsina, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, conferred the traditional title of Lamidon Katsina on the Chief of Staff to the Katsina State Governor, Jabiru Abdullahi Tsauri. AUGUSTINE OKEZIE reports that Tsauri was honoured by the revered Emir for his significant contributions to the socio-economic and political development of Katsina State.
For several hours on Saturday, September 21, guests from far and near joined indigenes of Katsina State to witness the conferment of traditional titles on some illustrious sons of the state. In a grand display of royal tradition and cultural heritage, Katsina State was agog with pomp as the Emir of Katsina, His Royal Highness Alhaji Abdul-Mumini Kabir Usman conferred traditional titles on three distinguished sons of the land.
The historic city, known for its deep-rooted Islamic and Hausa-Fulani traditions played host to dignitaries from all over Nigeria who gathered to witness the prestigious event at the Emir’s palace.
The Emir’s palace was literally shut as huge crowd made their way to the event venue to catch some fun which rarely holds every year. There was heavy drumming, singing, trumpeting and breathtaking dance steps by cultural dancers who thrilled guests who had seated before the arrival of the dignitaries. The weather was balmy as the sun shone brightly out of the azure sky.
That day, the ancient city of Katsina witnessed a grand spectacle as the Emir conferred the traditional title of Lamidon Katsina on the Chief of Staff to the Katsina State Governor, Jabiru Abdullahi Tsauri.
Friends, family, dignitaries and well-wishers gathered to celebrate a man whose life has been marked by service, dedication and a relentless pursuit of excellence. This momentous occasion honoured his personal achievements and recognised his contributions to public service, governance, education and diplomacy.
One outstanding quality of the Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, is his ability to identify talents and assign them to key positions for a progressive Katsina State. The identification and deployment of Tsauri as his Chief of Staff attested to this.
At the turbaning ceremony, the Emir urged traditional titleholders to maintain their roles in ensuring law and order, stressing that it is important as an elixir to teething troubles in order to usher in peace, unity and tranquillity.
The conferment of the title on Tsauri was in recognition of his significant contributions to the socio-political and economic development of Katsina State.
While extending his warm congratulations to Tsauri for his well-deserved honour, the Emir declared that the state has risen in honour of a worthy son of the soil.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Radda, Ibrahim Muhammed Kaula, said the governor had congratulated his Chief of Staff, even as he had expressed profound gratitude to the Katsina Emirate and the Emir in particular for honouring Tsauri with the Lamidon Katsina title.
While accepting the traditional title, Tsauri pledged to continue to serve the people of Katsina State with unwavering dedication and integrity. He thanked the Almighty Allah for His blessings. He praised the Emirate Council under the leadership of HRH Alhaji Abdulmumin Kabir Usman for the great honour on him.
He also paid glowing tributes to his principal, Governor Radda, for his guidance and unwavering support, pledging to continue his unalloyed loyalty to him as they work towards building a new Katsina State.
The Nation recalls that Tsauri was saddled with the responsibility of being the Chairman of the Taskforce on Food Security to tackle food hoarding and high prices.
While commending the decision of the Emir to confer on Tsauri with the traditional title, the Maigari Tsauri or Magaji Tsauri, Alhaji Gidado Isiaka Abdullahi, said Tsauri deserved the honour, considering the level of philanthropy he has exhibited toward the people. He described Tsauri as a worthy man who is well-known for his good heartedness.
He said: “Jabiru ensures that our children are enrolled in schools to acquire education. He pays their West African Examination Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO) fees. He ensures that the youth are employed in the public and private sectors. He also undertakes financial empowerments of the people, especially women and youths. He has been very helpful to the villagers in terms of training and skills acquisition. His people regard him as a hero because of his kindness and affection.”
Villagers’ request
The villagers are, however, requesting, through their traditional ruler that the Lamidon fulfill his promises to repair the roads linking the village to the Kurfi Local Government headquarters, also Katsina-Dutsinma Road, as well as Tsauri–Batsari-Jibia Road.
Magaji Tsauri, who spoke to The Nation in his palace in Tsauri, also appealed to Lamidon Katsina to appeal to the government to build a dam for water irrigation and farming and for agricultural activities in the area.
Accolades pour in
Justice Kabiru Shuabu of the Katsina State High Court aptly captured Jabiru’s humble background and beginning when he recalled during a media chat with The Nation about their primary and secondary school days. He described Jabiru as one with positive disposition, qualities and attributes which have led to his present political status.
He said: “He (Jabiru) is very intelligent, broad-minded and capable of delivering on any given assignment. He has the capacity to achieve set goals and a well-deserved background and upbringing that have prepared him for the future. Radda wouldn’t have found him worthy as Chief of Staff if he hasn’t all the attributes necessary to help the less privileged.”
A pip into Jabiru’s political future
While agreeing with the fact that Jabiru can veer into any political or social landscape he so desires, Justice Kabiru opined that his friend can also strive politically if he so desires. He vouched for Jabiru’s capacity to turn around the fortunes of the newly established Lamido Foundation and ensure it’s greater than the Gwagware Foundation that propelled Dikko Radda to his present political standing.
He further noted that Jabiru, through his Lamido Foundation can emulate the Gwagware Foundation, and should he sustain the foundation, can also leverage it to reach out to the less privileged people.
Gwagware Katsina was earlier a title conferred on Governor Radda by the Emir of Katsina which incidentally had Jabiru appointed as State Coordinator. Gwagware Foundation was established in 15 constituencies by Governor Radda and Jabiru was appointed as Coordinator because of his intelligence and brilliant disposition to life.
Jabiru completed his tertiary education at Teachers’ College Kafanchan, Katsina State, where he graduated in 1998.
Jabiru’s political trajectory
Jabiru’s political journey began when his mentor, Senator Tsauri, picked him as a legislative aide at the National Assembly, from where he rose to become the Chairman of the Association of Legislative Aides. After Senator Tsauri, he joined Senator Idah and later Senator David Mark.
The Nation recalls that Jabiru was also appointed by Governor Radda to head a 27-member committee as a task force on illegal dealers of food commodities, unlawful acts of price hikes and hoardings.
Appointment as committee chairman
Tsauri, as Chairman of the task force on food supplies, reeled off several action plans of his committee to the media after his visit to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Katsina Command, where he sought its cooperation that remained crucial in the course of his assignment.
He further commended the warmth reception accorded the committee during the visit, revealing that the taskforce was established to monitor the prices of foodstuff, address the act of hoarding grains, movement of food commodities and any act that will lead to price hikes.
He said: “Anyone found dealing in illegal food commodities, an unlawful act of price hike and hoardings will be made to face the full wrath of the law. Our personnel at LGAs and border areas have already swung into action, and I assure you all the necessary support, cooperation and timely intelligence that will help uncover these illegal dealings.”
Jabiru: banditry attacks too many
At a recent banditry attack at Gora Yammama Village in Deyi, Malunfashi Local Government Area of the state, Tsauri regretted that the area has become notorious for high-profile banditry attacks, urging security agencies to focus more on the area.
He told The Nation how he narrowly escaped a harrowing assault from suspected bandits who were not dressed in uniform but in ragtag dresses and slippers. Tsauri also revealed that Gorar Yam Mama Village near Deyi in Malumfashi Local Government Area has become notorious for high-profile security attacks, and needed a serious security presence.
He also assured that the recent security measures embarked upon by the State Government will yield significant result soon.
