With profound submission to the will of Almighty Allah, I extend my heartfelt condolences on the passing of our revered Emir, His Royal Highness, Dr Ahmad Muhammad Sani II, CON.
His distinguished reign was marked by wisdom, humility, justice, peace and devoted service to his people. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, illuminate his grave, admit him into Jannatul Firdaus and grant him eternal rest. Ameen.
As we mourn his passing, we also thank Almighty Allah for the peaceful succession to the revered throne of Gumel. It is, therefore, with great joy and profound respect that I congratulate His Royal Highness, Dr Lawan Ahmed Mohammed, PhD, on his ascension as the 17th Emir of Gumel.
Your Royal Highness, your ascension to the throne continues the sacred trust entrusted to the custodians of this ancient institution. There is no doubt that enduring traditions of unity, dignity, courage and service were established and preserved by our forebears, and strengthened by your late father through compassionate and principled leadership.
We are confident that your knowledge, experience and understanding of both our traditions and the modern world will guide the Gumel Emirate towards greater progress. We look forward to your leadership in consolidating peace and unity, preserving our cultural heritage, upholding justice and consultation, and promoting development in education, agriculture, commerce, healthcare, technology, youth empowerment and community security.
This is a time for every son and daughter of the Gumel Emirate to unite in common purpose. The strength and stability of the traditional institution depend on the cooperation of the Royal Family, traditional titleholders, District and Village Heads, religious leaders, elders, elected representatives, professionals, farmers, traders, women, youth and all our communities.
We must all rally around the new Emir in the common pursuit of peace, unity, progress and socio-economic development of the Gumel Emirate.
At this time, our loyalty must be expressed through respect for the traditional institution, responsible conduct, sincere counsel and a shared commitment to the peace and development of the Emirate.
In a period such as this, we must preserve the legacy of our ancestors and predecessors while building a Gumel Emirate that is peaceful, united, secure, educated, economically vibrant and responsive to the needs of every community.
Indeed, a leader serves as the heartbeat of a community. Your Royal Highness, you are now the heartbeat of the Gumel Emirate. The Emirate is fortunate to have you as its 17th Emir—a leader who embodies wisdom, unity and compassion.
Your ascension presents an opportunity to demonstrate that true leadership transcends titles and becomes a guiding light for generations to come.
Kindness is often the strongest bridge between a ruler and his people. We are confident that your distinguished reign as the 17th Emir of Gumel will prioritise the wellbeing of the vulnerable and ensure that voices that are often unheard find support within the palace.
Your Royal Highness, history has repeatedly shown that leaders who combine authority with generosity and compassion leave enduring legacies. We look forward to a reign in which authority is matched by genuine care for the common person and every resident of the Emirate.
The Gumel Emirate is also fortunate to have a leader with a deep understanding of diplomacy and peace. Conflicts may be a natural part of human society, but wise leadership is demonstrated by the ability to navigate such challenges without bloodshed. We trust that your wisdom, patience and commitment to dialogue will continue to strengthen peace and stability within the Emirate and beyond.
May Almighty Allah grant Your Royal Highness wisdom in judgment, patience in adversity, courage in leadership and sound health throughout your reign.
May He protect you, guide your decisions and bless you with sincere, loyal and trustworthy advisers. May He strengthen the unity of the Gumel Emirate, preserve its honour and bring enduring peace, progress and shared prosperity to all its people.
Amin.
Former DIG Mohammed Usaini Gumel (Rtd)
Writes from his Gumel home, Jigawa State.
