Yobe State Governor, Ibrahim Gaidam, has presented the Emir of Ngelzarma, Alhaji Muhammadu Zanna Mai Yeri III, his Staff of Office and Letter of Instrumentation as a First Class Emir at a ceremony in Ngelzarma Town.
The Emirate is a Fulani dynasty that regulates all the Fulanis in the region.
The ceremony was attended by important personalities and traditional rulers from across Yobe State and other parts of the country including the Shehu of Borno Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai al-Amin El-Kanemi.
At the ceremony, Governor Gaidam said, “As an indication of the relevance and significance of traditional institutions as custodians of our rich cultural heritage and the role they play in the development of their domains, the state and the nation as a whole, his appointment, I believe, is a source of inspiration and pride to the people of Ngelzarma Emirate and the state in general.”
The governor paid tribute to the late Emir of Ngelzarma, Zanna Mai Yeri, urging the current emir to emulate his “noble and worthy qualities of selfless service and hard work”.
He said that the Yobe State government considered many factors in appointing Emir Muhammadu Yeri III as a first-class emir, including his integrity, experience, honesty and patience.
“Your Royal Highness should therefore note that with this appointment, you should be prepared to shoulder the heavy responsibilities associated with your office. As emir, you should serve your people honestly, diligently, and uphold the dignity and honour of all the people in your domain regardless of socio-economic, tribal or religious differences”, Gaidam said.
The governor further tasked the emir to spearhead the campaign to encourage parents to enrol and keep their children in school and to always allow the children to be immunized against child-killer diseases. He also urged him to work to minimize conflicts between farmers and pastoralists, to encourage people across the emirate to further embrace agriculture and cooperate with law enforcement to ensure security.
Gaidam also urged people across Ngelzarma emirate to be obedient to the new emir and to all persons in positions of authority.
In his vote of of thanks, the Monarch, Alhaji Muhammad Zanna Maiyeri, commended the state government for the support to the traditional institutions in the state. “I wish to commend Governor Gaidam for the support to the traditional institutions in the state especially our Emirate. We really appreciate and wish him blessings. “