As Sultan clocked 15 years on the throne, many have described his headship as exemplary and inspiring, harping on the need to emulate his leadership qualities for a better Nigeria.
TRUE EMBODIMENT OF COMMITMENT TO SERVICE
President Muhammadu Buhari described Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad as a true embodiment of commitment to service and a leader who dedicated his life to the welfare of the people.
He also noted the Sultan’s efforts at promoting inter-religious and intercommunal harmony throughout the federation. “It is very reassuring to have such leadership at these challenging times,” the president said.
LIFESTYLE OF SIMPLICITY, DILIGENCE
Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto State urged all to emulate the lifestyle of simplicity and hard work exemplified by the Sultan in the last 15 years of his stewardship as spiritual leader of the Muslims in Nigeria.
He pointed out the Sultan has worked to promote unity, peace and ensure the involvement of relevant stakeholders towards the success of people-oriented programmes at state, national and global levels.
The Sultan as a father and leader has also contributed immensely to the development of Sokoto state, the country, Islam, and the global community in so many ways, Tambuwal added.
ALL-INCLUSIVE
Emir of Argungu, Alhaji Samaila Mera also noted Sultan’s 15 years of leadership of the Muslim community as historic and fruitful in maintaining peace and religious tolerance.
Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Gabai described the monarch’s leadership style as all-inclusive. He recalled the Sultan’s crucial roles in keeping Nigeria together amidst security challenges that rocked the nation.
LEADERSHIP REDEFINED
Muslims Media Watch Group of Nigeria (MMWG) said by Sultan’s performance in office in the last 15 years, he has redefined leadership roles in his practical example in various ways.
MMWG described him as a true leader worthy of emulation in various areas such as advocacy for the welfare and well-being of the people, religious tolerance, and promotion of inter-religious dialogue to promote peace, unity, and understanding among people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds.
PASSION FOR NIGERIA’S PROGRESS
Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Kalu extolled Sultan Saad Abubakar’s passion for the growth and progress of Nigeria and contribution to nation-building through various platforms.
IMPACTFUL HEADSHIP
Governor Yahya Bello of Kogi State posited the traditional leader stands tall in the league of royal fathers whose impact is being felt and his voice audibly heard because of his sincere concern for the nation.
He has been advocating mutual understanding among people of diverse faiths in the country, serving diligently in building trust between northern and southern parts of the country.
Bello added the religious leader had utilised his platform to preach love to the people irrespective of tribe or religion, with his advocacies curbing the severe crisis.
DETRIBALISED ENIGMA
Former governor Kogi Ibrahim Idris referred to Sultan as a detribalised enigma, noting as tremendous the royal father’s contributions to Nigeria’s religious, economic, and political development and outside the country’s shores.
WISE COUNSELLING KEEPS LEADERS, FOLLOWERS ON TRACK
For Delta Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Nigerians remain grateful to Sultan for his astute contributions to peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance across the country
He said Sultan’s positions and wise counselling on national issues had continued to help in keeping leaders and followers on track and urged him to remain unrelenting in that trajectory
Capping it, Muslims Rights Concern (MURIC) asserted: “We note with immense satisfaction that the Sultan has been certified by all and sundry as consistently amiable, peace-loving, tolerant, stable and level-headed.
“These are qualities which have endeared him to all, not only to his Muslim subjects alone but to Nigerians as a whole. It is for this reason he is referred to as Sultan of Nigeria, not just as Sultan of the Nigerian Muslims.”
