Niger State Governor, Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago, has commended the Etsu Nupe, Alh Yahaya Abubakar, for his sterling leadership qualities and for upholding the traditional institutions of not just the Nupe Kingdom but the state as a whole.
The governor stated this on Saturday during the 20th anniversary of the traditional ruler, which was held at the Wadata Palace in Bida.
He reiterated his administration's determination and commitment to providing the needed development to the state.
The governor called on the Etsu Nupe to continue to provide the needed advice that will help his government better the lives of its citizens.
While assuring that insecurity in the state will soon be a thing of the past, the governor warned criminals to repent or be crushed completely. Earlier, the chairman of the occasion, former Military President Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, who was represented by the former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, said the celebrant has brought so much progress and development beyond Niger State and wished him continued good health and more wisdom to serve humanity.
In his keynote address, the former governor of Niger State, Dr. Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu, highlighted the achievements of Etsu Nupe in the last 20 years of his reign.
He then called on the government at all levels to strengthen the traditional institution, which he described as the custodian of good values.
The Etsu Nupe, Alh. Yahaya Abubakar, who is also the chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, expressed profound gratitude to God for a successful reign in the last 20 years and the cooperation, encouragement, and support he received from his subjects.
The monarch then urged the people to take advantage of the natural resources in the emirate and engage in agricultural activities, and he assured them of his unflinching support and better rulership.
Other speakers at the occasion were the Sultan of Sokoto, Alh. Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Dr. Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja ll, the Oba of Benin, Omo N'Oba N'Edo Uku Akpolopolo, represented by Edmund Daukoru, and the Amayanabo of Nembe Kingdom, among others.
They all congratulated Etsu Nupe, described him as a great leader, and called for continued prayers for all leaders and the peace of the nation.
The event also featured the coronation of five traditional title holders, including Chief Mrs. Folashade Mujidat Tinubu-Ojo, the daughter of President Tinubu, as Yar Jari Nupe, and Sen. Bima Muhammad Enagi as Dujuma Nupe.
Others are Dr. Abdullahi Abubakar Kuso as "Dan Wadata Nupe", Chief Mordecai Ladan as "Majiko Nupe" and Akanya Aliyu as "Magatakarda Raba Nupe".
The week-long event equally witnessed the presentation of the historic book of Nupe Kingdom from 1800 to 2023, which the Niger State Government launched with the sum of N10 million.