Ali Abare Lafia
Vice President Kashim Shettima, Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, and revered traditional rulers from across the country graced the 70th birthday anniversary commemoration prayers of the Emir of Lafia, HRH Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I.
The commemoration event took place on Monday, at the Late Aliyu Akwe Doma Banquet Hall, Government House, Lafia.
The event, which also marked the Emir’s statutory retirement age from the Supreme Court of Nigeria, was attended by Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, the APC 2027 gubernatorial candidate for Nasarawa State, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, members of the national and state assemblies, traditional rulers from Borno, Niger, Yobe, Taraba and Benue states, as well as heads of federal and state government agencies.
As part of activities marking the celebration, the Vice President commissioned a number of completed projects in Lafia, including the Fulafia-Gimare asphalt road, the 300m asphalt Kashim Shettima Street in Tudun Kwashe, and the Kashim Shettima Hall at the Emir’s Palace Guest House.
In his remarks, Vice President Shettima, who described the Emir as his father, paid tribute to him as a man whose life of service spanned the legal profession, the judiciary and traditional leadership.
He recalled the Emir’s distinguished career, from his time at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, through the Nigerian legal profession, to his elevation to the Supreme Court of Nigeria, noting that he brought the discipline of the bench to the throne of Lafia.
The Vice President commended the Emir’s role as Chairman of the State Council of Chiefs, describing him as a custodian of peace and harmony in a state of diverse tongues, faiths and traditions.
He also commended Governor Sule for fostering an atmosphere of stability and development in Nasarawa State, noting that the peace nurtured by the Emir and the progress pursued by the Governor reinforced one another for the good of the state.
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, who was on ground to congratulate the Emir on behalf of the people of Borno State and the Borno Emirate, described him as a man of patience, steadfastness, integrity and contentment, and prayed for him to be granted many more years on the throne.
Responding, Governor Abdullahi Sule expressed appreciation to the Vice President, the traditional rulers and Governor Zulum for honouring the occasion with their presence.
He described himself as fortunate to have come into office around the same time the Emir ascended the throne, saying he had continued to learn from the Emir’s patience, steadfastness, integrity and contentment over the years.
The Governor prayed for the Emir to be granted many more years on the throne and wished the visiting royal fathers a safe return to their respective states.
In his response, the celebrant, HRH Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I, thanked Allah for granting him 70 years, and expressed gratitude to all who spoke at the event, saying he had adopted every word said about him as true.
The event drew dignitaries from within and outside Nasarawa State, with members of the bench, the bar, and the media also in attendance, as Lafia marked what was described as a historic day in he life of the emirate.
