By Tunde Omolehin
As the evening of Friday, 2nd January, 2026, settled gently over Sokoto, a city fondly called Seat of the Caliphate, found renewed expression in a gathering of remarkable personalities. One after another, guests streamed into the banquet hall of the Command Guest Inn, bringing with them a blend of tradition, achievement, and quiet heroism.
Moments later, the Master of Ceremonies, Abraham Adama, popularly known as MC Oyinbo, tapped the microphone and formally declared the 2025 Caliphate Icons Award open. Bathed in a soft glow of colourful lights and buoyed by warm applause from an appreciative audience, the hall came alive.
Organised by Amazing Fame Concept, the event brought together women and men whose work, often away from the spotlight, has continued to shape communities, inspire hope, and foster mentorship and exemplary leadership across old Sokoto state, which includes Kebbi and Zamfara.
For Comrade Ola Matthew, Founder of the Concept, the evening carried a deeper reflection of his humble beginning in Sokoto State. According to him, he had arrived in the city some years back without a moneybag hanging on his ankle. “But then, I was determined and had a big dream that Sokoto is my home. And today, I found my dream and happiness, filled with beautiful people around me tonight. Ola remarks.
TELLING SOKOTO’S POSITIVE STORY
He described the Caliphate Icons Award as a platform for telling local stories, preserving legacies, and inspiring young people to pursue greatness with purpose, especially in a time when negative narratives often drown out quiet excellence.
According to him, it is a platform for telling local stories, preserving legacies, and inspiring the next generation to pursue greatness with purpose. Matthew, however, described the event as more than an award ceremony, saying, The recognition given is more than applause. “Recognition is more than applause; it is encouragement. It inspires those doing good to do more and reminds others that excellence does not go unnoticed,” he said.
Matthew added that while good deeds often go unnoticed, negative narratives tend to spread widely, stressing that the initiative was conceived to publicly celebrate individuals shaping society positively and to counter unfavourable perceptions about the state.
He further highlighted other initiatives of the organisation aimed at protecting the achievements and potential of Sokoto State, including the annual Amazing Fame Magazine, which documents success stories and showcases the resilience and opportunities within the state.
Comrade Mathew reminded the gathering that the successes of the concept over the year were built on teamwork spirit among other members. He, however, showered appraised on the team members, saying, “Their determination and support have brought this moment alive.”
Beyond awards, Matthew spoke of other initiatives driven by Amazing Flame Concept: the Amazing Flame Magazine, which documents stories of resilience and possibility; the Sokoto Kids Cup, nurturing discipline and teamwork through football; and the Sokoto Best Brain Contest – Spoken Words Slam, designed to foster patriotism, critical thinking, and public speaking among students.
He also noted that the football competition for primary schools was designed to discover young talents, promote teamwork, and instil discipline among children across the state, while the Best Brain Contest was initiated to commemorate Nigeria’s Independence Day and foster patriotism, critical thinking, and public speaking skills among secondary school students in the state.
WOMEN WHO CARRY AMAZING WEIGHTS
Among those honoured was Hajiya Zainab Nasare Nasir Idris, wife of the Kebbi State Governor. Her recognition spoke less of title and more of impact, years of quiet dedication to the welfare, empowerment, and advancement of women across Kebbi State. In her recognition award, the organisers noted, compassion has been transformed into action and leadership into service.
Similarly, Hajiya Fatimah Ahmed Aliyu, wife of the Sokoto State Governor, was celebrated among the “30 Amazing Women” featured in the Caliphate Icons Magazine. Others on the list include; Hajiya Hadiza Ahmad Shagari, the current Sokoto State Commissioner for Women Affairs; Hon. Amina Yusuf Garba, a recipient of the Member of Niger (MON), and Pioneer Registrar, Shehu Shagari University of Education; Professor Aisha Madawaki, a recipient of Member of Federal Republic (MFR) and the first female Professor in Sokoto state; Professor Sadiya Omar Bello, a recipient of Order of the Niger (OON) and Director, Centre for Hausa Studies, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto; Professor Maryam Abubakar Koko, a professor of Business and Entrepreneurship and Professor Rabi Muhammad, first Female Professor in Science Education in Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.
Other were; Barrister Aisha Mohammed Dantshoho, a renowned legal practitioner and former Solicitor-General in Sokoto state; Hajiya Aisha Na’Allah, a banker, Philanthropist and Life Coach; Dr. Hauwa Yaro Bodinga, an astute Researcher; Dr. Suwaiba Umar Dodo, a Gender Advocate; Hon. Ubaida Bello, an expert in Social Service; Dr. Nafisa Abubakar Zaki, an advocate of Human Rights and GBV; Raja’atu Ibrahim Mohammed; Hajiya Zainab Abdunaseer, a media personality; Aishatu Muhammad Binji, a trailblazer public service; Dr. Sadiya Sambo, a Researcher and Life Coach, Hon. Aisha Umar Hassan, a former Permanent Secretary in Sokoto state and Arc. Fatima Abubakar Tunau is, first female architect from Sokoto state.
Also, the list include; Barrister Rashidat Mohammed, first female chairman, Nigeria Bar Association in Sokoto state; Dr. Hadiza Tori Bawa, first indigenous female Chief Medical of Maryam Abacha Women and Children Hospital, Sokoto; Hafsat Sahabi Dange, President, Association of Northern Women Entrepreneurs; Hajiya Ummi Chiso, Chairperson, Sokoto state Events Décor Association, Hajiya Aishatu Abubakar, a renowned Banker; Aishatu Abdullahi, an advocate of social inclusion and gender education expert; Rashida Abubakar AK, seasoned media consultant; Barrister Safiyya Ahmed Usman, a legal expert and child protection advocate; Amina Muktar Shagari, a fashion entrepreneur Mrs Opeyemi Kolawole, a brand strategist and Madina Maishanu, a seasoned journalist with BBC. The recipients’ Certificates of Excellence reflected broader lifetime achievements behind women whose influence reshapes families, communities, and futures.
SERVICE AT THE GRASSROOTS, WHERE IT MATTERS MOST
When Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu, the Wazirin Sokoto and Counsellor in the Sultanate Council, rose to receive the Champion of Progressive Leadership and Advocacy Award, the moment carried the weight of history and tradition, having been a scholar of Islamic and Arabic literature as well as one of the highest-ranking counsellors in the sultanate council.
According to the organiser, his life’s work has helped sustain Sokoto’s identity as a centre of learning, moderation, and cultural depth. Through teaching, advocacy, and counsel, the organisers also mirrored how his work has preserved not just texts and traditions, but the soul of the Caliphate itself.
Shortly after receiving his prestigious award, he had taken the audience back to the 18th century, dishing out some of the rare events that unfolded during the lifetime of his late grandfather, Muhammadu, whom he remembered for preserving a significant historical record of the caliphate.
In his usual soft-spoken spoken, Professor Juinaidu recalls how his grandfather had documented his first-time visit to Lagos city in one of his poems and how the city’s experience had contradicted the usual caliphate lifestyle of decency and morality.
For Hon. Ibrahim Dadi-Adare, Sokoto State Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, leadership has always begun at the grassroots. The organisers said Adare’s emergence as Man of the Year was a tribute to governance that listens, builds, and delivers where people live and work. Across state lines, Hon. Abubakar Dutsinmari, Kebbi State Commissioner for Local Government, received the Outstanding Humanitarian Award, recognising a public servant whose work reflects empathy and responsibility to the vulnerable.
The evening also belonged to a new generation of innovators using technology, creativity, and enterprise to reshape narratives. Kabir Umar Dan Aminu, a Sokoto-based tech coach, was honoured for Mentorship Excellence in Digital Excellence, a recognition of countless hours spent guiding young minds toward digital competence and confidence.
Anas Sanusi Gusau received the Young Entrepreneurial Excellence Award, while Kolawole Samuel, a social media consultant, earned the Tech for Social Impact Award. This is proof that innovation, when driven by purpose, can become a force for good.
The legal profession found representation in Barrister Rashida Mohammed, Chairperson of the Nigerian Bar Association, Sokoto State, who received the Outstanding Leadership Award for her principled leadership while Sokoto Professional Network, a nonprofit organisation, was honoured with the Transformative Community Partner Award, while Zainab Abdunaseer, journalist and disability advocate, received the Trailblazer Award, a recognition of courage, voice, and the power of inclusive storytelling.
THE MORAL LESSONS
The intellectual heart of the event came through a paper presentation by Dr. Mansur Isah Buhari, AGILE Project State Coordinator, titled “The Power of Purposeful Influence: Turning Recognition into Responsibility.” His message echoed throughout the hall: honour carries obligation.
Delivering remarks as Special Guest of Honour, Minister of State for Works, Barrister Bello Goronyo, praised the organisers for choosing to spotlight competence and commitment in a society often distracted by noise.
He urged awardees to see recognition not as an endpoint, but as a call to deeper service. He also highlighted how the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda is opening pathways for youths to harness technology and innovation in building sustainable livelihoods.
Goronyo also advised the youths to leverage technology and innovations to achieve self-sufficiency within their localities. While congratulating the awardees, the minister urged them to remain steadfast in making positive impacts within their respective fields and communities.
As the ceremony drew to a close, what remained was not just a list of names, but a shared reminder that progress is often driven by those who serve quietly, lead faithfully, and believe deeply in their communities. Shafa’atu Suleiman, one of the organisers, described the event as a heartfelt celebration of “achievers, devoted to service, sacrifice, and the upliftment of others.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tunde Omolehin is a multiple award-winning Journalist. A fellow of several journalism institutions, including School of Digital Human Rights, University of Pretoria, South Africa, Wits Center for Journalism, University of Witswatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa, and African Academic for Open Source Investigation Course, His previous data-driven stories have clinched several awards, including the PAJI African Prize for Investigative Journalism in Dakar, Senegal (2023), Hostwriter Collaborative Prize in Bou, Germany (2022), and a Runner-up (Online) category, International Organizations for Immigration (IOM) Reporting Award (2023), and recently the Indie Maverick Awards.
