The Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai-El-Kanemi, has announced plans to confer the prestigious traditional title of “Zannan Borno” on Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris.
The Special Adviser to the governor on Communication and Strategy, Abdullahi Zuru, confirmed this in a statement issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi on Friday.
Zuru said the Shehu, who also serves as Deputy National Chairman of the Northern Nigeria Traditional Rulers’ Council, announced the decision upon receiving a delegation from the Kebbi Governor’s Media Team.
NAN reports that the team embarked on a nationwide advocacy and engagement tour with major media organizations and key governance stakeholders across the country.
Zuru quoted the Shehu as praising Idris for what he described as outstanding leadership, saying the governor had earned widespread recognition and acceptance beyond Kebbi State.
He said those qualities informed the decision to honor Idris with the “Zannan Borno” title.
According to the royal father, the turbaning ceremony would become a major national event, with the date to be announced later.
He said the ceremony was expected to attract prominent figures from politics, government, traditional and religious institutions, the technocratic community and labour unions, both within Nigeria and beyond.
The Shehu said he had closely followed Idris’ activities since he assumed office three years ago, particularly his relationship with traditional institutions and religious leaders across different faiths.
He also commended the governor’s engagement with government officials at various levels and his approach to socio-economic and infrastructural development in Kebbi.
“These sterling leadership qualities by Comrade Governor have remarkably strengthened the cordial relationship between governmental, non-governmental, and traditional institutions in parts of the country,” he said.
The Shehu further praised Idris for improving the welfare of Kebbi residents and his efforts to address security challenges in the state.
He also commended the Emir of Gwandu, Muhammadu Ilyasu-Bashar; Emir of Argungu, Samaila Muhammad-Mera; Emir of Yauri, Dr Zayyanu Abdullahi; and Emir of Zuru, Muhammad Sanusi, for their contributions and support to the governor and the Northern Nigerian Traditional Rulers’ Council.
“It is on the basis of the governor’s exceptional leadership and the successful execution of impactful developmental projects, policies, and programmes that we resolved to confer on him the prestigious traditional title of Zannan Borno,” he said.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Kebbi Commissioner for Information and Culture, Alhaji Yakubu Ahmed-BK, said the team visited the Shehu’s palace to pay homage and seek his royal blessings ahead of engagements with key stakeholders.
Ahmed-BK said the delegation would also use the nationwide tour to showcase the achievements of the Idris administration during its first three years in office.
source: NAN
