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
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