Governor Mohammed presenting the Staff of Office to the 12th Emir of Katagum, in Bauchi State, Umar Faruk II.
By ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi –
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, on Saturday, presented the Staff of Office to the 12th Emir of Katagum, in Bauchi State, Umar Faruk II.
The event attracted Emirs, politicians, Captains of Industries and thousands of supporters, who thronged the Aminu Saleh College of Education Sports Ground, to witness the ceremony.
In his acceptance speech shortly after he was presented with the staff of office, the Emir said that the occasion has presented to him, another unique opportunity to reinforce and pledge to serve his people with a deepest sense of responsibility and sincerity just as he thanked the Bauchi State governor and the state government for making the day a reality and pledged his total support and loyalty to governor Bala Mohammed and his administration.
“I want to express my special thanks to the former governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, who accepted my selection by the King Makers and approved my appointment as the 12th Emir of Katagum.
“I also thank governor Bala Mohammed for the confirmation of the earlier decision taken by the former governor. I was appointed the Emir of Katagum on the 13th of December, 2017. Soon after that, we set up our development agenda highlighting our priorities which includes security and the wellbeing of our people, education, health, job creation, poverty alleviation and the most important, 100 percent support to the local government.
“We wish to announce here now that we are 100 percent loyal to the government of Bauchi state,” the retired federal permanent secretary said.
Governor Bala Mohammed in his speech, charged the newly installed monarch to emulate his late father who was the immediate past Emir of the Emirate.
He described him as a man of impeccable character and integrity.
He said’ “It is a matter of joy that we are gathered here today to celebrate the peaceful transition of one Emir to another. This underscores our belief in the sanctity of the traditional institution. The new Emir who is being presented with the staff of office is the 12th Emir of Katagum. We recall with nostalgia, the 33 years of reign of the late Emir, Alh. Dr. Muhammad Kabir Umar, who is the father of the new Emir.
“He exhibited exemplary leadership which earned him the respect, love and veneration of his subjects. Successive administrations in the state found him loyal and firm. He was a man of impeccable character and integrity.
“I urge the new emir to not only strive to emulate the enviable attitudes of his father, the late Emir, but to improve on them to move the Emirate Council forward.
“It is gratifying to note the joy that erupted among the people of Katagum following the announcement of Alhaji Umar Faruk, as the new Emir. The popularity of his choice has further been underscored by the eminence of the gathering here today to witness this installation ceremony.”
Our Correspondent reports that some of the dignitaries in attendance include: the former Vice President and Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar; Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum and Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal; former governors of Bauchi State, Adamu Mu’azu, Isa Yuguda and Mohammed Abubakar. Former military governor of the State, Major General Adisa Raji (retd.), also attended.
Also in attendance was the Gombe State governor, Inuwa Yahaya; Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu; Minister of State, Industry, Trade and Investment, Maryam Katagum; the Sultan of Sokoto and President, Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, Sa’ad Abubakar III; Members of the National Assembly among others.
The other five Emirs of Bauchi, Ningi, Dass, Misau and Jama’are in Bauchi State were also in attendance to support their colleague. Emirs from other Emirate Councils across the country including that of Kano, Ado Bayero, were also in attendance.
The Staff of Office was presented to the Royal Father at exactly 11.46pm by the Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, as the people clapped, shouted and cheered, “Allahu Akbar!”
The oaths of Office and Allegiance were administered on the Emir by the Chief Judge, Bauchi State, Justice Talatu Umar.
