Pomp as Emir Suleiman receives Staff of Office

Unbridled joy and elation greeted the historic coronation ceremony of His Royal Highness Engr. Suleiman Umaru as the 14th Emir of Lere on Wednesday, December 29, 2021. The day marked the beginning of a new era in the emirate’s history, founded in 1808 by the aristocratic leader of Fulanin Wunti Malam Muhammadu Dabo Titi.

Ahead of the installation ceremony, the ancient town of Lere was in a festive mood as visitors from far distances and nearby locations converged to witness the historic day.

The organisation was flawless. Less than 24-hours to the event, the venue of the ceremony was immaculately fixed and scenically ready for the coronation. Well-decorated stands and VIP pavilions were erected, including a marquee Arabian tent undulatingly constructed in a letter “L” fashion.

The 61-years-old new Emir, a chemical engineer by profession, arrived at the venue around 10:30am on a horseback amid salutations and cheers from thousands of admirers and well-wishers who thronged the arena. Riding a majestic grey Bay horse and wearing a dark brown Alkyabba (royal robe), a white embroidered brown gown “Babban riga” and brown royal shoes to match, he was accompanied by a retinue of royal body-guards – clad in red and green uniform, footmen dressed in traditional regalia, horsemen in full cavalry gear, royal musketeers, and multitudes of praise-singers, drummers, trumpeters and courtiers.

The new Emir, who ascended to the throne following the demise of his uncle, retired Brigadier General Abubakar Garba Muhammed, who died on April 10, 2021, was the eldest son of the 12th Emir of Lere, Alhaji Umaru Muhammad, who reigned from 1980 to 2011, and a great, great, great grandson of the first ruler and founder of Lere Emirate Malam Dabo Titi.

We recall that Engr. Suleiman was earlier turbaned as the 14th Emir of Lere when he received his letter of appointment in an elaborate ceremony in the palace on Wednesday, June 30, 2021.

During the coronation ceremony, which was laced with cultural displays and performances, the new Emir received the traditional regalia from the four kingmakers – a copy of the Glorious Qur’an from Chief Imam of Lere, Alhaji Aliyu Muhammadu Sani; the Sword of Muhammadu Dankaka from Sa’in Lere, Alhaji Muhammad Yusuf Lere; the Spear of Muhammadu Dankaka from Iyan Lere, Alhjai Mu’azu Suleiman; the Bow and Quiver from Barden Lere, Alhaji Abubakar Jabbo Lawal. They conducted these presentations in line with Lere’s traditional rituals of coronation of new monarchs.

Top dignitaries who graced the coronation include former Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, Senators Alhassan Ado Doguwa and Senator Suleiman Abdu Kwari and members of the state and federal legislature. Among the traditional rulers present at the event are His Highness, the Emir of Zazzau and Chairman Kaduna State Council of Chiefs, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, His Highness, the Emir of Nasarawa Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Jibril and a host of others.

His Excellency the Governor of Kaduna State Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i performed the presentation of the Staff of Office administering the oath of allegiance/office for the new Emir which was conducted by the Kaduna State Commissioner of Justice and Attorney-General, Hajia Aisha Dikko.

Speaking at the occasion, Governor El-Rufa’i urged the new emir to emulate his two illustrious predecessors, his father, Alhaji Umaru Muhammad, and his uncle, the 13th emir Brig. Gen. Abubakar, who was a former military governor of Sokoto State.

The governor said, “I enjoin you to emulate your predecessors and rule the people of Lere with fear of God and justly. It’s our hope that Your Highness will mobilise your people to sustain the tempo of peaceful coexistence for the overall interest of your emirate and Kaduna State at large.”

The governor also told the people of Lere that his government will soon begin the building of a campus of Kaduna State University in Lere town.

In his acceptance speech, the new Emir Engr. Suleiman Umaru thanked the governor for honouring and appointing him to succeed his forefathers to the coveted throne and commend the kingmakers and government officials for ensuring a hitch-free succession process.

“As Emir of Lere, I will dedicate myself to ensuring that developmental challenges of our time are being addressed. I will give top priority to education so that we will be able to reduce the out-of-school children’s population in the Emirate.

“I appreciate the dynamics of leadership in this era, with my over three decades of public service. I therefore intend to harness my experiences and outreach to bring development to Lere Emirate.

“My goal is to build on the selfless service and achievements of my predecessors,” he said.

To commemorate the occasion, a grand durbar was observed with hundreds of horses in colourful procession. The Emir and his entourage were accompanied back to the palace (Gidan Muhammadu Dankaka) from the coronation venue by traditional title-holders, princes, courtiers and artisans amidst pomp and pageantry.