By Bashir Adefaka
“But the effort of this great, pragmatic, enigmatic and well principled leader across borders, Nigeria would have been a forgotten place due to the unfortunate efforts of leaders, who have used their grip in the tribes and religions to wreck havoc based on distrust, hate speeches and unguarded utterances, which they spread in the land and among the vulnerable people through their deliberate misrepresentation of easily understandable situations, for self gains.”
On Tuesday 24 this month of August 2021, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, Sultan of Sokoto, President General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Chairman, National Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria (NTRCN), will clock a remarkable age-count of 65. I have decided to begin my own mention of this all-important birth anniversary from this distant moment because, it is my style to do so, whether it is going to be marked or not.
More remarkable to note is that, the retired Army General – who unarguably is one of first four most powerful monarchs in Africa including the King and President of Morocco and has been counted among the first 17 most influential Muslim leaders all over the world – is clocking this exceptionally golden age nearing 15 years after ascending the Usmaniyyah Throne of the Sultanate. It will be recalled that he ascended the throne at the age of 50 on 2 November 2006 following the death by ADC airlines flight 53 crash – in Abuja – of his elder brother and 19th Sultan, Alhaji Muhammadu Maccido.
More notable quality that makes this more than quintessential leader worthy of celebration, not only on his birthday but also almost on monthly basis, is the fact that he has not just become contributor to peace, unity and development but has practically led the course of restoration for Nigeria. By this he not only works for a country restored to the way of the forefathers but also, more essentially, to the path that works and brings positive connectivity between the good past and present to a better future for the good of country and generality of the people.
But the effort of this great, pragmatic, enigmatic and well principled leader across borders, Nigeria would have been a forgotten place due to the unfortunate efforts of leaders, who have used their grip in the tribes and religions to wreck havoc based on distrust, hate speeches and unguarded utterances, which they spread in the land and among the vulnerable people through their deliberate misrepresentation of easily understandable situations, for self gains.
His first major concern is always about united, peaceful and better Nigeria; so his second and third and he never wavered educating the populace on why the nation’s diversity should – rather than being the source of misfortune – be seen as the source of strength and how they should have it stuck with them that the success in diversity is not the absence of conflict but, practically, in how patriotically and well the conflict that ever ensued is managed. Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar has carried out this constitutional and self-convinced project and has remained patient, perseverant and resilient doing it, even in the face of very ‘difficult-to-tolerate’ provocations across board.
This has been vividly displayed in his make-up in terms of people he is surrounded with either as Sultan in the Palace or right from his days as military officer. It should interest any great mind to know that this Sultan on the Throne has Igbo, Yoruba among people he counts as prominent and important to him. They are either his Aides-from-Afar or Close-Aides among whom there has been an Abeokuta, Ogun State born, who has the all-important role of ensuring and confirming the standard and hygiene of food he eats.
Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar is highly commendable and must be commended especially now as he clocks 65 later this month, precisely 24th August 2021.
Mai Alfarma Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, LL.D., was born on 24 August, 1956 and ascended the throne 50 years later as the 20th Sultan of Sokoto.
Sa’ad Abubakar, son of 17th Sultan, Sir Siddique Abubakar, a Barewa College, Zaria alumnus, after finishing in the college proceeded to the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1975 where he was a member of 18th Regular Course. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of the Nigerian Army in 1977 and served in the elite Armoured Corps. He headed a Presidential Security Unit of the Armoured Corps that guarded the Military Ruler, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida in the late 1980s. Abubakar also commanded a Battalion of African Peace-Keppers in the Republic of Chad in the early 1980s as part of the Organisation of African Unity’s force and was Military Liaison Officer for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in the mid-1990s.
Still as his military career lasted, Abubakar was appointed Commanding Officer 241 Recce Battalion, Kaduna in 1993 and from 1995 to 1999, he was ECOWAS Military Liaison Officer and became Commanding Officer, 231 Tank Battalion (ECOMOG Operations) in Sierra Leone from 1999 to 2000. From 2003 to 2006, he served as Defence Attache to Pakistan (also accredited for Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan) and retired from the Army as Brigadier General following his call to monarchy service as Sultan of Sokoto in November 2006.
On titles and honours, as the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar is the Leader of the Qadiriyya Sufi Order, which is the most important Muslim position in Nigeria and senior to the Emir of Kano, the leader of the most populous Tijaniyya Sufi Order. He is also the Head of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (Society for the Support of Islam – JNI) and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).
In 2015, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar was listed among the 10 recipients of the maiden edition of the Global Seal of Integrity (GSOI). An annual list, which is compiled and authored by two young Nigerians: Emmanuel Josh Omeiza and Godspower Oshodin (under the Global Youth Coalition for Integrity) for promoting integrity among the people and consequently promoting the well-being of the universe.
On 22 August 2019, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar was appointed as Co-Moderator of the Council of Religions for Peace (CRP), globally, an international coalition of representatives from the world’s religions dedicated to promoting peace, founded in 1970. Religions for Peace, which has its International Secretariat headquarters in New York City, United States of America with regional conferences in Europe, Asia, Middle East, Africa and the Americas, enjoys consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), UNESCO and UNICEF.
