REMEMBERING LATE ETSU MUHAMMADU BELLO; A LEADER WITH DECENT AND
GREAT ETIQUETTE
“.....thus, he is a great and righteous person who loving himself, love others
equally-Meister Eckhart”.
The above quote is apt and quite fitting of the 8th Emir of Agaie, late Alhaji
Muhammadu Bello OBE who passed away twenty one years ago (on 26th May,
1989). The tribute is written as a mark of honour to a leader, who to him, the
task of being a ruler and a leader, is not just to think right, but to act right.
Most who knew him close up describe him as a leader with decent and great
etiquette.
He was born in Agaie in 1910 to the family of Mallam Muhammadu Lakpene
(son of the 4th Emir of Agaie), and attended Agaie elementary school, 19201924; He was at Bida Provincial Middle School (1924 – 1927). He was
appointed District Scribe (1927-1933), and became the Treasurer Native
Authority (1939-1953); it was also during the period that he participated in the
2nd world war, and lead Agaie district contingent to Jos. On his return, he was
appointed District scribe, Baro (1953). Upon the death of HRH Etsu Aliyu (the
7th Emir of Agaie), he was installed the 8th Emir of Agaie on the 11th May, 1953.
In 1954, he visited England on official tour (being the first undertaken by an
Emir from Agaie). In 1956, he undertook a study tour of the United Kingdom to
observe the English ways of administering Local Government, Agriculture and
Education. He also performed his first pilgrimage to Mecca in 1968.
Other responsibilities held by him includes; member, Northern House of
Chiefs, Kaduna (1953-1966); Member, Niger Provincial Council (1953 -1954);
Member, Niger State Council of Chiefs (1976 – 1989); Chairman, Etswan Local
Government (1978); Chairman, Board of Governors of Dendo Secondary
School, Agaie, and Government Girls Secondary School, Agaie. He was a
Member, Patron(s) and Grand Patron(s) of a number of voluntary and nongovernmental organisations among which includes, Supreme Council of Islamic
Affairs, Jamaátu Nasril Islam, Muslim Student Society, Federation of Niger
State Students, Nigerian Union of Teachers, and National Youth Council of
Nigeria.
He was presented with the Second Class Staff of office in October, 1954 by Sir
Gawain Bell KBE (the then Governor of Northern Nigeria) and also awarded
Order of the British Empire (OBE) accompanied with QM in 1958. He
celebrated his 25th Year Anniversary on the throne (Silver Jubilee) in 1978. He
was presented with the first class staff of office in December, 1981, by the first
Civilian Governor of Niger state, Mallam Muhammed Awwal Ibrahim (the
present Emir of Suleja).
During his reign, the Emirate witnessed tremendous physical and social
developments, which includes the commissioning of the (now abandoned)
Loguma Irrigation Scheme. In June, 1969, he established Self-Development
Fund (SDF) to enable the area meet up the challenges in its social and
economic spheres. His efforts saw to the emergence of Agaie Division Clinching
the first position in “Interactive Authority Development Competition in Niger
Province”. Through Self-Development Fund, he established four leprosy clinics
in Ewugi, Essangi, Chata and Fogbe in 1970, as his efforts to eradicate the
menace of leprosy in the community.
A memorial lecture with the theme “Etsu Muhammadu Bello: A Leader with
Great Attributes” was held in his honour by Gamji Members’ Association, an
NGO whose lofty objectives includes Immortalisation of the exemplary
leadership qualities of Sir Ahmadu Bello and other past national leaders. In his
contribution, the Chairman of the occasion, Mallam Aliyu Wakili (Fagacin
Bauchi), sees the late Etsu Muhammadu Bello as a legend whose leadership
attributes should not be allowed to waste.
The present Emir of Agaie, Etsu Muhammadu Kudu Abubakar, noted in his
welcome remark maintained that Etsu Bello’s reign witnessed remarkable
development in Agaie Kingdom. He described the late Emir as a modest and
compassionate leader with unwavering disciples. In his words “In Agaie
Kingdom, I can confidently point out, the mere mention of his name evokes
memories of him, particularly of his devotion and dedication to the
development of the Kingdom. He was to further add “.....today more than
twenty years after his demise, memories of his virtues are fresh in our minds”.
He concluded by calling on citizens of the emirate to come together and take
steps on how to build on the legacy of the late Etsu Muhammadu Bello and
other past Emirs. The Guest Speaker, Dr Muhammadu Ndagi of University of
Abuja in a paper titled ‘A letter from late Etsu Muhammad Bello’ describes him
as the “Voice of the Voiceless”. He recalled the late Emir’s love and concern for
children which usually resulted in his frequent physical presence in schools’.
On his part, the Governor of Niger State, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu (Talban
Minna), in a speech read on his behalf by his Deputy, Hon. Ahmed Musa Ibeto,
described the late Etsu Muhammadu Bello as one who not only understand the
true meaning of servant leadership but espoused the virtues of responsibility
bestowed on the throne. According to him, the late Emir’s life is defined by
integrity, dignity, fear of God and sound character. He therefore calls on all
those who are in position of leadership to take a leaf from the outstanding and
exemplary leadership attributes of the late monarch. For Emir of Lafiagi, HRH
Alhaji Kawu Haliru Sadu, the late Etsu Muhammadu Bello share similar
attributes with his late Grandfather (also a former Emir of lafiagi). Senator Isah
Mohammed (Wazirin Nupe), describe the late Etsu Muhammed Bello as a
visionary leader whose contribution to the development of Agaie kingdom and
beyond are tremendous and exceptional, in his words; “when I was young, my
father always visits him and he also return such visits. He was a detribalised
leader who treats his people equally irrespective of religious affiliations”. Dr
(Mrs) Sarah Jibril (Jakadiyan Nupe) put it this way “Etsu Bello lived for and
served his people satisfactorily with vision, compassion and strategic
foresight”. Hon Baba Shehu Agaie (Wakilin Agaie and Deputy House leader,
Federal House of Representatives), “Etsu Muhammadu Bello was a great
leader, achiever, believer of Islam, who was always patient, ever-forgiving and
equally forwarding for good and responsive results. He has left behind, some
veritable legacies that will never be forgotten by us”. While alive and after his
demise, tributes, eulogies and accolades on him from various personalities
were consistently positive. General Muhammadu Buhari GCFR (former Head of
State & Commander In Chief of the Armed Forces) on a courtesy call on him in
his modest palace in 1984, had this to say after listening to Governor DAB
Mark’s eulogy on the emir, “...for a man of your status, you are uncommonly
simple. The present military administration will draw a lot of inspiration from
your leadership qualities. Qualities which have made you outstanding and
legendary.......”. Late Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya, former National Chairman of
the defunct Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP) had this to say when he led a
delegation of party faithful on a courtesy call during the 1983 General Election
Campaigns “...His Royal Highness is a man of faith who most should draw
Inspirations from...”. During the presentation of first class staff of office to him,
the then Governor and present Emir of Suleja, HRH Mallam Muhamma Awwal
Ibrahim CON, described him as a leader who has led by example. Part of his
speech ran thus “....It pleases me to present you with the first class staff of
office, knowing full well that you deserved it”. The Deputy Governor of Niger
State, Hon. Ahmed Musa Ibeto (Santurakin Kontagora) in his Goodwill message
exclaimed “what a selfless leader! A selfless leader committed to his subjects
developments. A shining example of what leaders either traditional or political
should be”. Mallam (Dr) Ibrahim Aliyu, Sardaunan Minna, in his contribution,
wrote “I could not have missed the memorial lecture in his honour for
anything. I was a struggling 31year old, then a novice secretary to the
Government of Niger State when I first met Etsu Muhammad Bello. I enjoyed
his encouragement, his patronage, his admonishment and no doubt his
contributions made him a father to me including equipping one to discharge
my office more effectively”. On his part, Engr. Muhammad Sani Ndanusa
(former Minister of Sports) wrote “Etsu M. Bello was a Visionary and Selfless
Servant Leader” whose contributions should be documented for history. Hajia
Dije Bala (a member of the Justice Muhammad Uwais Electoral Reform
Committee) and her husband, Alh Jibrin Bala (Magajin Rafin Suleja) jointly
wrote “Etsu Muhammad Bello was selfless in his service to his people. It is as a
result of his selflessness that he was involved in an accident when he was going
to sort out the differences among his people in Esan Community, which finally
led to his death”. Professor Shehu Bida (Marafan Nupe) who appeared elated
by the decision to honour the legendary Emir; remarked “Gamji Association
has chosen an elegant, humble, amicable father and a leader to emulate”. Hon.
Fatima N Salome Ndakotsu (a former Commissioner for Environment and
Forestry, Niger State), described the late Etsu Muhammadu Bello as an
exemplary leader, a symbol of unity, fairness and justice. As long as we lived,
he will continue to be remembered positively”.
HRH (Senator) Haliru Dantoro, Emir of Borgu Kingdom who appeared to have a
good assessment of the late Emir, describe him as a wonderful leader of his
time. He charges the organisers and the citizens of Agaie to continue to pray
for the late Emir. Engr. Abdulkadir A. Lapai (Shaban lapai) ‘I was opportune to
know late Etsu Muhammadu Bello since my childhood in 1958 when I was
enrolled at Agaie Primary school. Till his death, he was a complete gentleman,
an industrious, respected and generous leader. He was a purposeful leader
who during his reign provided leadership by example”.
Alhaji Muhammadu Isa Agaie (author of Nupe Customary Marriage and also an
ideologue of Etsu Bello) pointed out that nothing could be more gratifying than
seen selfless leaders been remembered even in death. In his words, “.... before
his ascension to the throne, I had the privilege as a much younger one to watch
the late Etsu Bello struggle under extreme conditions to attain greater
heights”. Alh Musa Zago (a former Commissioner of Information) remark that
‘Etsu Bello was inspiring to many of us during our school days; he will not only
visits us frequently, but will sit in the class with us’. An ex-convict (name
withheld) who served at Agaie Prison during his reign was to narrate; ‘the Emir
was a gifted leader who remembers even his remote subjects like us. He visits
the prison frequently to monitor the welfare, mentoring and rehabilitation of
prisoners. It was his frequent visits and concern for our situation that we use to
check the warders, knowing well that once we ‘roar’ or ‘bark’, he will appear.
Even though his leadership attributes started before his ascension to the
throne, his life and major achievements could be viewed from the backdrop of
his role as Emir of Agaie which spans over thirty six years. The 36 years were
utterly real and inspiring, particularly when one recall that the late Emir left
behind for inheritance a paltry sum of one hundred and fifty naira (N150) and a
house, he and his siblings inherited from late Mallam Muhammadu Lakpene,
their father (who in turn inherited same from his father, Etsu Abubakar I, the
6th Emir of Agaie in 1919). Even though Etsu Bello’s achievements could not
bagged him national honours both while alive and posthumously, majority will
agree with me that he, indeed has obviously stamp his feet in the sands of
time. May Allah Subhanahu Wataála grant him Aljanna Firdausi (Ameen).
By Abdullahi Bala Isa ([email protected]), National Secretary, Gamji
Members’ Association