By Bashir Mani
The Sokoto Caliphate was a sovereign Sunni Muslim caliphate in West Africa founded during the jihad of the Fulani War in 1804 by Usman dan Fodio. It was dissolved when the British conquered the area in 1903 and annexed it into the newly established Northern Nigeria Protectorate. The Sultanate of Sokoto is a traditional state in Northern Nigeria with headquarters in the city of Sokoto, capital of the modern Sokoto State. Preceded by the Sokoto Caliphate, the council was formed in 1903 after the British pacification of the caliphate.
The Sultanate Council of Sokoto has Senior Councilors that assist in the day-to-day running of its affairs, as being chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III. One of them is the Galadiman Garin Sokoto, Alhaji Aliyu Attahiru Galadanchi, the 16th to inherit the exalted throne of his forefathers. The history of the stool of Galadiman Garin Sokoto is therefore synonymous with that of the legendary and historic Sokoto Caliphate, as well as the subsequent Sultanate Councils of Sokoto.
Going down memorylane, the pioneer Galadiman Garin Sokoto, Galadima Muhammadu Doshiro, was appointed by Sultan Muhammadu Bello, over 217 years ago, while the current occupant of the highly revered position is Alhaji Aliyu Attahiru Galadanchi, the 16th Galadiman Garin Sokoto, who was appointed by the former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko. He was turbanned on Monday, February 21,2011. Since then, he has been diligently, piously and indefatigably discharging his duties, for the Sultanate Council of Sokoto, Sokoto state and Nigeria, in general.
In fact, it was William Shakespeare, who in the 1560’s said: “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.” This is apt for Alhaji Aliyu Attahiru Galadanchi, the 16th Galadiman Garin Sokoto. So, there was little surprise recently when Sokoto was agog and the celebratory drums were rolled out, all to celebrate and chronicle his 10th Anniversary on the highly prestigious position.
Also, Galadanchi has continued to receive myriad of accolades and felicitations as he marked 10 years on the prestigious, exalted and reverred throne of his forefathers. Several events were also been successfully conducted on Sunday, February 21,2021, to commemorate his ascension to the throne, including a special prayer session.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence and Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti Corruption, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, felicitated with the 16th Galadima as he clocked 10 years on the exalted throne.
Wamakko expressed delight that, his choice of Alhaji Aliyu Attahiru Galadanchi, to inherit the exalted position of his forefathers was not a wrong one.
Wamakko, who represents Sokoto North Senatorial District said: “I was never wrong to have chosen him, to occupy the highly reversed position.
“The Galadiman Garin Sokoto holds a prestigious and crucial position in the hierarchy of the Sultanate Council of Sokoto as a Senior Councillor.
“Alhaji Aliyu Attahiru Galadanchi has been diligent, honest, pious and truly committed in the discharge of his duties.” He has really upheld the trust and confidence reposed in him and I am urging him to sustain the commendable tempo. “I am also fervently praying to the Almighty Allah, to continue to divinely protect and guide him in holding the tremendous trust reposed in him.”
In another message of felicitation to the Galadiman Garin, the Paramount Ruler of Iwoland, Osun State, Oba AbdulRasheed Adewale Akanbi, Alashe Lori Orisha Tell 1, said that, he has known Alhaji Aliyu Attahiru for years to be upright, compassionate and accessible to all and sundry. Oba Akanbi added: “Every aspiring city and country needs more of Galadima to promote her greatness.
“As you celebrate your 10th anniversary, I pray Allah gives you an everlasting strength, wisdom in sound health and prosperity to continously pilot your office and its paraphernalia to an enviable height. The Sokoto Caliphate is not only lucky but also blessed to have Alh. Aliyu Attahiru Galadanchi as the Galadiman Garin Sokoto. You and everything that is yours will continue to be blessed. You are laying an enviable foundation for your generations. May you live long. Amin.”
In the same vein, the Oneh-Eh Nchia X and Egbere Emere Okori Of Eleme Kingdom, Rivers State, HRH (Dr.) Appolus Chu congratulated the Galadiman Garin Sokoto on his 10th anniversary on the throne. “On behalf of my people of Okori and Nchia in Eleme Kingdom of Rivers State, I heartily felicitate with you on your 10th anniversary as Galadiman Garin Sokoto and Councillor to the Sultanate”, Egbere Emere Okori Of Eleme Kingdom stated in facilitation letter made available to the media.
While wishing the Galadiman Garin Sokoto many more years of invaluable service to mankind, Chu said, “I have no doubt that your counsel and advice to the Sultan and the government of Sokoto State have been instrumental to the safety, health and peaceful co-existence of Nigerians and nationals of diverse ethnic and religious persuasions living and doing business in Sokoto. Of particular reference is the role you played in the height of the Covid-19 pandemic last year by publicly calling on the people and residents of Sokoto to observe necessary safety measures and take the threat of the virus seriously.”
In his testimony, the Sarkin Gabas of Durbawa, Kware Local Government of the state, Alhaji Mu’azu Yakubu Durbawa, described the Galadiman Garin as a man of impeccable character, honesty, piety, perseverance and patriotism. Alhaji Mu’azu Yakubu Durbawa also noted that, a lot of development has been recorded in the state within the period under review .
Similarly, the Dan Malikin Sokoto, Alhaji Aminu Buhari Galadima, also eulogized the sterling qualities of Galadanchi, as well as noted his sustained selfless service to humanity .
The Chief Historian of the Galadiman Garin lineage, Alhaji Bello Galadanchi, gave the historical evolution of the title and underscored it’s pride of place on the Sultanate Council of Sokoto and Nigeria, in general.
Alhaji Bello Galadanchi further described the celebrant as a man of honour, diginity and a core philanthropist, whose penchant for the welfare of the people is unparalleled.
The celebrant, Alhaji Aliyu Galadanchi, also gave innumerable gratitudes to the Almighty for granting him the divine honour and rare privilege to ascend the throne of his Forebears, in good health, divine guidance and protection. He expressed delight that, he was enjoying a cordial working relationship with the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, other Council Members of the Sultanate Council of Sokoto, District Heads and other traditional rulers and title holders.
Galadanchi further pledged his unwavering commitment and loyalty to the Sultanate Council of Sokoto, being indefatigably spearheaded by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar.
He further noted that traditional rulers in the country were playing critical roles in all aspects of human lives like health, education and security, among others. The Galadiman Garin pleged to continue to make the neeeded sacrifices for humanity and to take the Sultanate Council of Sokoto, Sokoto State and Nigeria, in general, to greater heights.
Mani, the Dan Masanin Mani, is a Sokoto-based Journalist.
