Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, billionaire businessman Alhaji Dahiru Barau Mangal, Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika have visited Emir of Katsina Alhaji Abdulmuminu Kabir Usman on a thank you visit over the appointment of the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ahmad Rufai Abubakar as Sardaunan Katsina.
21st CENTURY CHRONICLE reports that Ambassador Abubakar was appointed Sardaunan Katsina by the emir on June 16 over his “selfless services to the state and the country in general.”
The appointment was conveyed via a letter personally signed by the emir on June 16.
The title became vacant following the elevation of Senator Ibrahim Ida to the position of Wazirin Katsina, the prime minister of the Emirate.
Before Ida, the title was held by a former Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Coomassie who died in 2018.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of Matasa Media Links Katsina, Muhammad Danjuma Katsina, on Monday, the Ambassador Kingibe-led delegation includes Alhaji Murtala Safana, Bala Almu Banye, among others.
The statement said the delegation paid a thank you visit with the support of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Ambassador Kingibe who spoke on behalf of members of the delegation noted that Katsina is an ancient city which has produced prominent persons that have served Nigeria with patriotism and given their contribution at the global arena.
He said the NIA dg is well known for his love for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), for being learned, philanthropic and one who has contributed to societal development particularly through empowerment of youth, women and the less previleged.
He said it is for this reason that Ambassador Rufa’i is well-suited for the title of Sardaunan Katsina, while assuring the emir of Katsina that the appointee will not disappoint in the Katsina emirate.
Speaking at the occasion on behalf of members of the appointee’s family, Alhaji Aliyu Musa kofar Durbi thanked the emir for appointing one of them as Sardaunan Katsina and assured him that their clan will remain grateful to the emir for the gesture.
The Galadiman Katsina, Justice Sadiq Abdullahi Mahuta, who spoke on the appointee advised the close associates of Ahmed Rufa’i to organiser golf competition to celebrate the appointment to which Senator Hadi Sirika responded that’s a golf and Polo competition will be organised to commemorate the appointment.
Speaking on behalf of the appointee’s former classmates, the Limamin Kona, Zaria Dr. Bello narrated how Ahmad Rufai received several awards at the speech and prize giving day at ATC Katsina in 1975 where Sir Usman Nagogo, the then emir was the special guest of honour.
He recalled that the Emir Nagogo asked the then Magajin Garin Katsina, Alhaji Kabir Usman, to take good care of Ahmad Rufa’i.
In his remarks, Emir of Katsina expressed joy with the testimony given by the friends and families of the appointee describing the delegation as a Nigeria while thanking Allah for guiding him in making the appointment.
