The Triumphant Entry Into Sokoto Caliphate Of Former Kogi Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris CON. Coronated As Jakadan Sokoto (Ambassador).
By ABUBAKAR YUSUF
The road to Sokoto was full of life,both at the nation’s airport and other dignataries that went through the roads to Sokoto to honour former Kogi Governor,Alhaji Ibrahim Idris who was installed as Jakadan Sokoto by the sultanate along with 12 others.
The installation ceremony held on Sunday Aprl 4th ,2021 was colourful and a roll call of Who is Who in Nigeria, as prominent citizens of Sokoto Caliphate and visitors were honoured at the occassion.
The grand event earlier scheduled to hold in December 2020 was put off at the instance of the Sultanate due to some pressing national issues.
Alhaji Ibrahim Idris,a household name in Sokoto known as Daular Usmaniya arrived the ancient city amidst tumultuous welcome from friends,well wishers,associates, business partners among many others,as his presence in Sokoto was like a home coming for the people of the area.
From the Sultan Mohammed Maccido international airport in Sokoto, the large contigent of the former Kogi Govenor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris from Abuja which included immediate past Kogi Governor,Alhaji (Capt) Idris Wada, some former Commissioners under him and Capt Idris Wada,former baord members,former SSG to Kogi state,Musa Ahmadu ,a high powered delegate of PDP from the National Secretariat represented by the North Central Zonal Vice Chairman of the party, and former ex officios of the party, were overwhelmed by dignataries who waited for hours at the airport to receive the new Jakadan Sokoto, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Idris CON.
The arrival at the Sokoto airport was so eventful as indigenes and Royal Highnesses and heir apparent of Royal families of the sultanate due for conferement of similar title all escorted former Kogi Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris into a tumultuous welcome at his residence in the heart of Sokoto state.
It may interest readers to know that former Govenor,Alhaji Ibrahim Idris have his residence in the midst of ordinary citizens of Sokoto state, rather than in the reserved areas where the affluence,the well to do in the Society are expected to reside.
This pro-people tendencies made him the darling of the ordinary people in Sokoto state that turned his residence to their abode during the two days visit and his coronation.
From the arrival date of the April 3rd 2021,uptill the departure date of April 5th, 2021 the road to his residence and Grand Ibro Hotel,a four star Hotel belonging to the former Govenor built in Sokoto state was filled with activities towards the installation of the new Jakadan Sokoto,Alhaji Ibrahim Idris CON.
The ceremony which took place at the palatial palace of Sultan of Sokoto ,His Eminence,Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Sa’ad 11 was filled to capacity,as dignataries that included Sokoto state Governor,Rt Honourable Aminu Waziri Tambuwal,other serving Governor’s from the notthern staes and former Governor’s were all on ground to honour former Kogi Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris and other recipients of the Sultanate chieftaincy title.
Thirteen dignataries were installed by the Sultanate,among them included the Deputy Governor of Zamfara state, Heads of Federal, State agecies, ambassadors and ambassadors plenipotentiary,but the first to be turbaned was Former Kogi Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris as Jakadan Sokoto.
In his speech after the occasion,the Sultan of Sokoto,Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Sa’ad 11 described former Kogi Governor,as son of the soil,as his current status has equated with any indigene of Sokoto state and the entire Caliphate.
He told the audience at the occassion how the people of the area hold Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, Jakadan Sokoto in high esteem having contributed the the socio-economic transformation of the old Sokoto state that comprosed of Kebbi,Zamfara states.
He urged the general public and the people of Sokoto state to see Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, Jakadan Sokoto first as an Indigene of Sokoto state before Kogi state.
The Sultan Mohammed maintained that the economy of Sokoto state was initially stabilised by the likes of the new Jakadan Sokoto,saying the people of Sokoto state will never forget his selfless services both while he was resided in the area and now out of Sokoto state.
He used the opportunity to thank the former Kogi Govenor having tolerated the people,developed his people, his contributions to the developement of Sokoto state and his untiring efforts towards the emancipation of the people.
The event took another dimension as the former Kogi Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris and the new Jakadan Sokoto rode on a horse from the palace to the reception along with his friend and immediate past Kogi Governor,Capt Idris Wada held at Grand Ibro Hotel reception hall in Sokoto.
The Former Govenor in his vote of thanks,appreciated the Sultanate and the entire people of Sokoto state for considering him worthy of the highest chieftaincy title of the land,promising not to led them down in his desire to better the lots of under privileged.
He used the opportunity to thank all sundry from all walks of life, particularly the former Kogi Governor,Capt Idris Wada, his former Commissioners, business associates,sons and daughters who celebrated with him at this auspicious occasion.
The new Jakadan Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris used the occasion to set up his palace administrators that included 13 title holders that will oversee the affairs of the office of the new Jakadan Sokoto Alhaji Ibrahim Idris CON.
The new Jakadan Sokoto Alhaji Ibrahim Idris was later treated to different types of Hausa musics rendition and drama to mark the occasion in his residence in Sokoto that went through all nights.
Coincidentally,the newly installed Jakadan Sokoto Alhaji Ibrahim Idris,full of life arrived his residence in Abuja on the 5th, April,2021 to another rounsing welcome to mark his 72nd Birthday organised by the family.
Overwhelmed by the new development,The new Jakadan Sokoto appreciated those present at the occassion ,saying Celebration will never cease in their various homes.
The month of April was full of Celebration and beehive of activities as Former Kogi Governor,the new Jakadan Sokoto donated a multi million naira mosque to Anyigba Community in Kogi state.
He promised at the occassion to continue to contribute to the religious developement of not only Igala land,Kogi state and Nigeriaat large.
Yusuf Is A Public Affairs Analyst, Writes From Abuja.
