Sanusi resumes, rules Kano from govt house

The Emir of Kano, Mallam Sanusi Lamido, has yet to move into his palace more than 24 hours after he received his appointment letter and staff of office. As of 8.02pm on Tuesday, the palace was still under lock and key. The presence of policemen deployed there on Sunday to keep away protesting youths was also still noticeable. Under normal circumstances, Sanusi would have after receiving the staff of office resumed his royal duties at the palace as has been the tradition for over 1,000 years. However, due to the security situation occasioned by the protests that followed his appointment, the royal father was said to have heeded security advice to lay low for now. On Tuesday, he continued to perform his official functions at the Kano State Government House by receiving important visitors that included the Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, his Imo State counterpart, Rochas Okorocha, and business mogul, Aliko Dangote. Sanusi also received the four Kano kingmakers, who presented him with his traditional regalia and instrument of office ahead of his coronation . The regalia comprises the twin spear or sword (Lagwayen masu), a Dabo hat, a pair of ostrich plumage shoes. He was also given a copy of the Holy Qur’an. He will adorn the regalia on the day of coronation, which will be held at the emir’s palace at a date to be announced later. The Chairman of the kingmakers and the Madakin Kano, Alhaji Yusuf Ibrahim, did the presentation. The items handed over to him were the same used by the 2nd Fulani Emir of Kano, Ibrahim Dabo, who was a close confidant and brother of the founder of the Sokoto Caliphate, Usman Danfodio, in 1804. Officials of the state government however confided in one of our correspondents that plans had reached an advanced stage to relocate the Emir to one of the Emirate’s Guest Palaces close to the government house. However, life is gradually returning to normal in the city as residents who were hitherto indoors have begun to go out for their business. An early morning drizzle which lasted for a little over two hours, gave way to clear whether which encouraged business owners to open their offices. The Public Relations Officer, Kano State Police Command, Magaji Majia, urged parents and guardians to ensure that their children and wards did not join others to threaten the peace of the city. “The city is calm and quiet as we have no record of security breach today,” he told journalists. There were speculations in the city on Tuesday that President Goodluck Jonathan was due to visit the state on Tuesday to condole with the family of the late emir, Alhaji Ado Bayero. A helicopter belonging to the Nigerian Air force hovered round Kano for most part of the day while Armoured Personnel Carriers were stationed in strategic locations in the city. The President will however visit Kano on Wednesday (today).