Katagum Emir receives staff of office, pledges not to let his subjects down
Samuel Luka, Bauchi
The Emir of Katagum, Alhaji Dr. Umar Faruk II has on Saturday promised not to let his subjects down as he received staff of office from Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state amidst mammoth crowd.
The Emir who was speaking during a historic event organized by the Katagum emirate for his coronation and presentation of staff of office held at the premises of Aminu Saleh college of education Azare, promised to do justice to all manner of people within his domain.
“To my people, I hereby pledge to stand by you. With deepest sense of humility, I pledge that I will never let you down, I will continue to listen to the poor man and protect his interest and do justice to everyone”, the Emir pledged.
The Monarch while speaking shortly after receiving the staff of office, expressed gratitude to Governor Bala Mohammed for carrying the traditional institution along.
He prayed Allah to continue to help the Bauchi state government under Bala Mohammed to enable him continue to provide the required dividends of democracy to the people.
“I renew my highest respect to His Excellency, the Governor of Bauchi state, my brother Senator Bala Mohammed CON Kauran Bauchi and Jagaban Katagum, accept my deepest appreciation and that of the people of Katagum for making this occasion a reality, may Allah subaha wata’ala reward you abundantly”, the Emir prayed.
“I seek your indulgence, Your Excellency to express my thanks to your predecessor, His Excellency, M. A Abubakar who accepted the recommendations of Katagum kingmakers by approving my appointment as the Emir of Katagum. I also appreciate your Excellency for confirmation of the earlier decision taken by the former Governor”, the Monarch said.
The Emir who recalled that he was appointed as Katagum Emir on 13th December, 2017, said soon after that, the emirate set up her development agenda highlighting areas of priorities that includes security and the well-being of his subjects.
According to him, other priority areas are institution, health, job creation, poverty alleviation and the most importantly support to Governor Bala Mohammed led administration.
The Emir while declaring hundred percent loyalty to the state Governor said that the year 2023 marks the centenary of the first primary school established in the emirate.
He noted that the milestone will afford the emirate council a wonderful opportunity through the commitment of the Governor towards addressing the menace of out-of-school children.
Speaking on the forthcoming 2023 general elections, the emir advised people to avoid violence and allow for peaceful conduct of the election.
The Emir commended the Governor for executing laudable developmental projects across the state as well as his fairness in the distribution of the projects which he said has made people to be very appreciative of the present administration.
The Monarch who applauded the Governor for the expansion of the state-own university Gadau also thank him for embarking on the construction of ultramodern market in Azare, the headquarters of Katagum local government area of the state as well as road projects worth billions of naira within his domain.
He noted that the projects executed will not only help in boosting the economic activities of the people Azare but Bauchi state as a whole.
Emir Faruk while thanking the federal government for establishing the university of health sciences in Azare, appealed for the connection of rail line between Duste and Damaturu which he said will assist Azare people.
The Emir requested the gathering to join him in praying for the repose of the soul of his late father, Alhaji Kabir Umar whom he inherited.
On his part, Governor Bala who said that the occasion marks another milestone in the history of Katagum emirate, explained that the appointment of Alhaji Dr Faruk Umar followed the demise of his father who was the emir of Katagum five years ago.
“With the passing away of the late emir of Katagum, Alhaji Dr. Mohammed Kabir Umar about five years ago, a new emir in the person of Alhaji Dr Umar Faruk was appointed to succeed him in accordance with the established customs and traditions of Katagum emirate council”, the Governor recalled.
Bala Mohammed said that the coronation and presentation of staff of office to the Emir is an attestation of his administration’s believe in the sanctity of the traditional institution.
He said that new emir been presented with the staff of office is the 12th emir of Katagum from the first emir, Mallam Zaki.
Present during the occasion were the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, His eminence, Sa’ad Abubakar former Bauchi Governors, Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu, Mallam Isa Yuguda, Governors of Gombe and Sokoto, among other dignitaries.