By Abubakar Shekara
Since the first bearer took it to Zazzau from Sokoto, the capital of the Sokoto Caliphate in 1808.
Malam Musa ibn Suleiman Ibn Muhammad was the first Fulani ruler of that Kingdom that has its headquarters in present day Zaria, in Kaduna State, an ancient city that has grown in size and stature into a prominent commercial and educational center.
Those ties between Sokoto and Zazzau were rehashed today, when the new Emir of the Kingdom visited Sokoto Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, at Government House.
The host acknowledged the status of “Sarkin Zazzau”, Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamali as “a bonafide son of Sokoto”, citing the event two centuries ago in history, when Bamali’s ancenstor bore the flag from Shehu Danfodiyo and set up to rule the kingdom of Zaria.
Tambuwal also recalled the partnership between Sokoto State and the Nigerian Embassy in Thailand, when Sarki Bamali was Nigeria’s Ambassador to that Asian country. The Governor praised the Emir for assisting tremendously in the process of creating ties with Thailand in the areas of agriculture and commerce with that nation, adding that the interaction has grown stronger and its benefits for the people of Sokoto will in substantial part be attributed to him.
Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamali on his part, acknowledged Governor Tambuwal’s vision and commitment to the progress of his people, through the Thailand initiative, in which he said he was proud to participate. He expressed the readiness of Zazzau Emirate to partner with Sokoto State in the advancement of their peoples.
The new Emir also recalled Tambuwal’s guidance when he was a member of the House of Representatives towards facilitating interaction between Bamali’s former working place, the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company and the Green Chamber.
Historical, institutional and personal interactions characterize the bond between Zazzau and Sokoto and the emergence of two close personalities as heads of the State and Emirate is a positive coincidence, as existing collaborations are strengthened for the benefit of the people.
Sarkin Zazzau Bamali is scheduled for a grand coronation on November ninth, a date that coincides with 100 years, since his grandfather, left the throne, which never returned to his clan till his appointment.