Debunking the Fake News on Benin Crossover and the Right Title of Emir of Kano
A little observation on the titular reference to the Emir of Kano. It was contained in your brilliant story clarifying the falsehood that a certain, Isa Ado-Bayero, alleged to be the son of Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero attended the Oba of Benin’s Christian new year crossover ceremony in Church in Benin. You did well by exposing the falsehood.
By exposing the fact that a Prince of Kano Emirate Isa Sunusi Abdullahi Bayero was the one so reported.
Isa-Pilot as he is best known in Kano is the son of Emir of Kano Khalifah Sir Muhammadu Sunusi (I). Emir Sir Muhammadu Sunusi I, is the grandfather of Tijjaniyya Khalifah Sarki Muhammadu Sunusi II, 14th Emir of Kano and former CBN Govenror. I noticed your reference to Sarkin Kano Aminu Ado Bayero as HRH (His Royal Highness).
I do recall that since 1990 or 1991, the Kano Emirate Council had issued a circular to all Government and other institutions to formally announce the correct protocol reference to Emir of Kano. I was then Special Assistant and Head of Media and Public Relations in the Office of Kano State Deputy Governor Abba Abdullahi Dambatta mni shortly before the creation of Jigawa State.
The Emirate had then reported that the Emir should be referred to as His Highness (HH) Alhaji Ado Bayero as the First Class Emir of one of the original Emirates of the Sakkwato Caliphate.
Read Also:
Since then the proper protocol reference to Emir of Kano has been, His Highness Alhaji Ado Bayero CFR, not His Royal Highness (HRH).
Thus, all Emirs of Kano are so referenced.
As such current Emir is His Highness Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero CFR.
In fact in view of the considerable historical and current prominence of Kano despite excision of certain areas and creation of new Emirates, I’d say the Emir of Kano should actually be referred to as HM (His Majesty) Emir (Amir-Kano) of Kano. Same as Ooni and Oba of Benin. In the same vein, the Sultan of Sakkwato should continue to be respectfully and reverently referred to as HE (His Eminence) Amirul Mumineen Sultan of Sakkwato while Shehu of Borno ought to also be referred to as His Majesty as his protocol ranking to clarify the historical standing of the Empire/Caliphate of Sakkwato, the Emirate/State of Kano and Emirate/State of Borno. This will be apt considering the new Emirates that are a creation of our military diarchies and 4th republic politicians.
His Royal Highness (HRH) is for Princes, Princesses and other ranks of Emirs and Chiefs.
Such is also the practise in other Monarchies such as Britain. The Duke of Edinburgh, the Queen’s Consort (husband) of HM Queen Elizabeth was HRH so too the Prince of Wales and other Princes and Princesses.
Kabiru Muhammad Gwangwazo
KMG
The PYRAMID Newspaper
thepyramidnews.com
PYRAMID MEDIA LTD
Royal DANPASS Plaza
Plot 6, Zoo Road, Kano
email:
[email protected]
