New Sardauna Adamawa: A befitting home recognition to a fearless warrior
By Barr Danladi Danasabe
The conferment of the title of Sardauna Adamawa on Nigeria’s incumbent National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, by Adamawa emirate council marks a watershed in the evolution of the revered traditional institution.
It is also a fitting recognition to a true warrior, a selfless Nigerian and a dogged fighter of crime and criminals, a job he did with passion, excellence and gallantry.
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Nuhu Ribadu is not only an embodiment of gallantry, but a statesman whose commitment to the success of democracy, rule of law and constitutionality can never be challenged even by his arch enemies.
Ribadu’s determination to serve Nigeria with excellence started manifesting at a very young age. Such commitment made him to make hard choices and enlisted in an unlikely profession, the police force despite his patrician background. And to satisfy his insatiable appetite to fight crime, Ribadu went ahead to study law.
With hardwork, passion, determination, excellence and God’s push, Ribadu did not only harnessed a successful career but became one of the finest officers the Nigerian police has produced in its checkered history.
His meteoric rise to the echelon of the profession was marked by struggles, obstacles and challenges, but these only probed to be a mere distraction which Ribadu shoved aside as he fought a gallant battle against Nigeria’s most dreaded criminals, who albeit occupy powerful political offices.
His war against economic crime no doubt came with a huge price as these hardened economic savages who failed to lure Ribadu to their side at various times made attempts on his life.
They made sure that Ribadu was hounded, frustrated, and ostracized by the system he served with zeal, patriotism and unflinching commitment till they forced him to go on self exile.
As if he has a date with history, Ribadu was again thrust to the national leadership at a time of national crisis and violent insurrections that engulfed Nigeria like a wild fire. Again Ribadu was saddled with another daunting and difficult responsibility of securing the nations from the deadly fangs of all manner of criminals ranging from ISWAP terrorists, bandits, kidnappers et all who held the country by the jugular.
But despite the fact that many who held the office of the NSA could not make substantial inroads in the war against insecurity as criminal continue to lay siege on the country, Ribadu is apparently, and to the admiration of all and sundry has made substantial successes since his assumption some two years ago.
The combination of discipline, vision, incorruptibility and an overarching commitment to excellence made the difference between Ribadu and his predecessors.
Despite the complex and dynamic nature of insecurity, it apparent that Nuhu Ribadu is succeeding against all odds. Before his assumption into office, the Kano- Kaduna -Abuja highway has become a death trap and a major foothold of kidnappers. Many road users have been maimed, killed and abducted in daylight. But that episode has become a thing of this past courtesy of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
Since his coming, hundreds of dreaded insurgents, notorious kidnap ring leaders have been despatched to the great beyond to face justice from God while others have been arrested.
In the same vein, Kidnapping across Nigeria has drastically abated while the activities of Niger Delta militants has been decimated leading to an increase in oil exploration which added tremendous traction to Nigeria’s GDP.
Just like he brought Nigeria’s name to global limelight when he served as the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ribadu is working hard to bring Nigeria to the world stage again through his committed and unflinching war against insecurity.
His recent feat in arresting two leaders of the Ansaru terrorist group has drawn plaudits by the international community including the US and UK as well as the presidency which also appreciated Mallam for a job well done.
The conferment of the title of Sardauna Adamawa on Ribadu by Adamawa emirate council which is coming back to back with the international approbation is an action replete with wisdom and a fitting tribute to a befitting son who has through dint of hard work brought honour to the land.
The title of Sardauna, is one of the most prestigious and historically significant traditional titles in northern Nigeria, particularly in the Sokoto Caliphate.
The word “Sardauna” which has its provenance and etymology in Hausa language literally means “War Leader” or “Warlord.”
In the traditional hierarchy of the Sokoto Caliphate, the Sardauna was the commander of the army and a senior councilor to the Sultan. The holder of this title was responsible for the defense of the caliphate, mobilization of warriors, and ensuring the security and expansion of the emirate.
So honouring Ribadu with this title is an exercise rooted in history, wisdom and synonymous with the spiritedness of the recipient. I wish our gallant Sardauna, long life, health and wisdom in servitude to our fatherland.
Danasabe is the chairman Adamawa State think tank.
