Mukhtar Yahya Usman

Muhammadu Sanusi II, the 14^th Fulani Emir of Kano who was dethroned after a six-year reign assumed office on June 08, 2014.

In this exclusive interview with Kano Focus, Ibrahim Ado Kurawa, historian and close associate of the deposed Emir highlights some of the legacies of Muhammadu Sanusi II.

Emir’s Role

Before talking about the legacies of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II we need to understand the duties of an emir first.

An emir does not legislate, execute or adjudicate as was the case in the past.

In 1967, the military government removed their judicial powers and in 1976 local government administration was taken away from Emirs.

Therefore an emir’s duties became limited to what he is assigned to do by the government and the provision of leadership for his people.

That was how Emir Alhaji Ado Bayero lived from 1976 until his death.

By the time Muhammadu Sanusi II assumed the throne of Kano Emirate his only function was to provide leadership for his subjects.

Leadership Style

He was asked to provide leadership and everyone has his style.

Some people would keep mute when they see wrongdoing while others will speak up.

Why don’t people like to be corrected? Let them do the right thing and see if he would still criticize them.

Let his detractors come out and refute his criticisms.

Some people fail to understand that there are individual differences in leadership style.

So every Emir has a choice on whether to speak or keep silent.

Uniting the Royal Family

The first thing he did was to unite his subjects especially the royal family.

Emir Sanusi II gave royal titles to all branches of the ruling Dabo family.

These included the descendants of Emir Muhammadu Inuwa and Emir Alu Babba.

The last descendant of Emir Alu to hold a  traditional title, Ahmadu Gwadabe  – who was appointed Danmaje by Emir Abdullahi Bayero –  died in 1967 and they were not given another title since then until the reign of Muhammadu Sanusi II.

As for Emir Muhammadu Inuwa, his descendants did not hold any title even the headship of a ward for 51 years after his death until Muhammadu Sanusi II turbaned one of them as a District Head.

He also appointed Aminu Sadik from the Dan Lawan Ayuba branch of the Abdullahi Maje Karofi royal house as the Zanna of Kano.

From the scions of Emir Sanusi I, he appointed Dan Galadima, Bunu, and Dan Buran.

No previous Emir has done this much to unite the family of Ibrahim Dabo.

Renovating Gidan Rumfa

The Kano royal palace is known as Gidan Rumfa after Emir Muhammadu Rumfa who built it about 500 years ago.

It has never been renovated as it was done during the reign of Muhammadu Sanusi II.

He modernized every nook and cranny of the palace, which is a no mean achievement.

Family Law Bill

Emir Muhammadu Sanusi has done what no Emir has done in the history of Kano by drafting a bill on Islamic Family law.

He gathered a large number of Islamic scholars who spent three years poring over books on Islamic Shari’a to draft the act for a law to regulate the Islamic family in Kano state.

It covers aspects such as marriage, family support, childcare, and divorce.

Most Educated Emir

Emir Muhammadu Sanusi was the most educated emir in the history of Kano in both Islamic and formal education.

That was why he tackled controversial issues to help in resolving them using his vast knowledge.

He also had a wealth of experience in public service culminating in his appointment as Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria.

He used his knowledge and experience to gain access to international organizations and associations.

Economic Development

Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II used his connections to spur the economic development of Kano state.

The African Development Bank engaged in an Industrial Diagnostics of Kano and developed an economic development blueprint for the state.

This is usually reserved for countries.

He brought Chinese investors to set up a $300million textile industry in Kano.

He brought another company “Baban Kowa”, which provides farmers with seeds and inputs as well as buy the produce after harvest.

He also brought Black Rhinos who will set-up a solar power plant worth $100million in Kano.

He had already arranged an agreement with the Federal Government and the contract has been signed.

Defender of the people

These show that his main interest in being a monarch went beyond the paraphernalia of office such algaita, kakaki, and tambari.

He had a plan for the development of his people.

That is why he was always vocal in any matter concerning Kano in particular and Nigeria in general.

He was instrumental in protecting the interests of his fellow Fulani when they were being stereotyped as aggressors in the frequent clashes between farmers and animal herders.

That is why Fulani associations love him very much.

Man of Peace

Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II deserves commendation concerning the peaceful manner he handled his dethronement.

He averted riots in Kano by instructing his followers to leave everything to Allah and accept his successor.

Many thought he would resist or seek legal redress but he forgave and ask the people to obey whoever his successor might be.