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EMIR OF KANO – NIGERIA

His Highness Alhaji Ado Bayero LLD, CFR, JP

  • Born in the royal palace of Kano on 15th June, 1930 while his father, Alhaji Abdullahi Bayero was emir.
  • Underwent Islamic education early within the confines of the palace.
  • Also started formal western education within the palace at Kofar Kudu Primary School.
  • Went to Kano Middle School 1942 - 1946.
  • Attended School for Arabic Studies 1946 – 1947.
  • Clerical College Zaria (ABU) 1952.
  • Exhibited remarkable leadership qualities very early (at kindergarten level) earning him the sobriquet:

“Dan Umma dogarin ‘Yan Sarki”   or

“Son of Umma the disciplinarian of royal princes”.

  • Since early childhood was adjudged to be very honest, forthright, steadfast and a disciplinarian, among peers and in his relationship with elders.  Was respectful and respectable.
  • After completing school and unlike most royal princes he sought and obtained his father’s permission to work outside the Native Authority, the preserve of his forebears.
  • He worked at the British Bank for West Africa (BBWA) from 1947 at a tender age of 17 years.
  • This experience made him cosmopolitan in character having worked alongside not only the British but also members of other ethnic groups from Southern Nigeria like the Ibos and Yorubas.
  • In 1949 after learning the art of proper book keeping he came into the mainstream of public service as a Clerk in the Kano Native Authority.
  • Emir Ado Bayero went for further studies in Zaria and at the United Kingdom during his stint as the Chief Clerk of Kano N.A.
  • Ado Bayero contested and won elections into the Northern Regional House of Assembly in Kaduna while working for the N.A. (1955 – 1957).
  • At that time membership of the legislature was on a part-time basis.
  • Parliamentarian Ado Bayero made very worthy contributions in the Regional House of Representatives Kaduna.
  • As a person he believes in thorough homework and getting his facts right.
  • During proceedings, Ado Bayero always articulated his position with confidence with his contributions on the floor of the House always well researched and well presented.
  • He was appointed Chief of Police of the Kano Native Authority in 1956 where upon he immediately resigned membership of the Regional Assembly.
  • In a letter to the President of the Legislature Ado Bayero stated that he has given up political partisanship.
  • As Native Authority Police Chief – Ado Bayero initiated a new code for the force.  This ensured that:

     The police should act and behave as friends, helpers and protectors of the people rather than as extortionists, harassers or intimidators of the citizenry.

     The police were to be properly trained and conditioned for service.

     Police were henceforth to cultivate the friendship and trust of the people.

     Police should be independent, in the discharge of their duties, so as not to be used as tools to harass and intimidate citizens to settle political scores.

     Police was disciplined and living above board.

  • This non-partisan posture as being championed by Police Chief Ado Bayero made the NPC leadership uncomfortable.
  • The measure however endeared the N.A. Police and its new leadership to the massive followers of opposition Party – the NEPU.
  • Police Chief Ado Bayero’s stewardship came in the midst of a very difficult period characterized by intense political pressure due to reawakening.
  • What Police Chief Ado Bayero did was to ensure that nobody was punished or penalized without a just cause.
  • This was a novelty since at that time police was used to favour the powers that be.
  • Late 1962 saw the appointment of Ado Bayero as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Senegal.
  • At the inception of his duty tour, Ambassador Ado Bayero championed three things:

     Discipline at the Chancery - without which, he believed, no success would be achieved in any venture.  Staff were also reconditioned to see themselves as members of one family.

    Cultivating good friendship with the Head of the host country. This   strengthened Nigeria-Senegal relationship to good effect.

     The Ambassador developed keen interest to learn the French Language to enable him operate without need for an interpreter.

  • Indeed Ado Bayero’s diplomatic skills were called into service during the difficult civil war years – after he became emir – and such skills were utilized to worthy and beneficial cause.


 
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