It has been almost 5 decades since the people of Zaria (Zazzau Emirate) last witnessed the death of an Emir. And so the agony that comes along with such a tremendous loss and the tension that ensues as a result of the waiting for a new emir to be appointed seem to be immensely overwhelming in the mind people of Zaria and beyond. After the 3rd day of mourning, the peoples of Zaria have been expected with great deal of anxiousness the conclusion of the selection process and announcement of the new Emir of Zazzau. But the peoples of Zazzau Emirate had experienced apprehensive for the 18 days without an emir on the throne in recent history.
Even though, Mallawa dynasty of Zazzau Emirate had produced four emirs Malam Musa, Malam Abdulkadir Dan Musa, Malam Abubakar Dan Musa and Malam Alu Dan Sidi. But His Excellency Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli is the fifth Emir from the Mallawa ruling house that ascended the throne in 100 years.
The last emir from new emir Mallawa dynasty was his grandfather Malam Aliyu dan Sidi reined for 18 years before his dethronement in 1921. After one century absents of Mallawa ruling house reclaimed the throne on 7th Octobers 2020 when Kaduna State Government approved appointment of Ambassador Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli as 19th Emir of Zazzau.
His Royal Highness was born on June 8, 1966 in Zaria city. He is a son of, late Magajin Garin Zazzau Alhaji Nuhu Bamalli a junior minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in 1960 and in 1965 became the Foreign Minister and he important figure in the struggle for Nigeria independence.
After his primary and secondary education in Kaduna city, he went to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria to study law. In 1998 proceeded to Enugu State University of Science and Technology for his (Post Graduate Diploma in Management). He also has a Master’s degree in international affairs and diplomacy also attended Harvard and Oxford University’s as well as Northwestern University in Chicago and the University of Pennsylvania.
His Highness, Emir of Zazzau spent 26 years working in the banking, telecommunications, manufacturing and public sectors and held many positions both in public and privates sector. He was Regional Manager Public Sector (Joined as Deputy Manager in 1998 and rose through the system to senior manager Grade) FSB International Bank Plc, 1998-2006. Assistant Manager KMC Nigeria limited/First Security Discount House (FSDH), 1992-1998. An Assistant Director Abuja Metropolitan Management Agency, 2006-2007, General Manager Human Resources Management Nigerian Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTEL), 2007-2009. Director Harvard Business School Association of Nigeria, 2014-2015, President African Banknote Association, 2013-2014. In 2015 he was member, Transition Committee Kaduna State, 2016, Commissioner, Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commissioner, 2016- 2017,Other Chairman Board of Directors, Tawada Limited (Subsidiary of Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Plc), November 2012-2014, Director Laurman Limited, 2009-2010, Director Ryden Oil and Gas, 2009-2010. Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer & ED Corporate Services Nigeria Security Printing and Minting Plc, November 2011-2014, Executive director in charge of corporate services, 2011-2012 and Managing Director, 2012-2014.
President Muhammadu Buhari appointed His Excellency Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli as Nigeria Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand, 2017 and also with concurrent accreditations in charge de affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, 2020 and he is among the most visible diplomats in Bangkok, and not because of his elegant traditional outfits that make him stand out in a crowd because he is active member of the diplomatic corps since his appointment.
He holds same royal titled of Magajin Garin Zazzau which his late father held before his demised second most senior princely title in the Zazzau Emirate before ascended to the throne of his forefathers as 19th Emir of Zazzau.
The challenge before the Emir of Zazzau is to unite all members of the ruling houses for the interest of Zazzau peoples and also to be the leader to all and treat all people fairly in the performance of his duties. He should be like his immediate-past predecessor Late Alhaji Shehu Idris who is a just leader with all sense of fair justice to his subject and remain detribalized Nigerian and a father of all.
His Excellency Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli ascending the throne of his forefathers at a time when the nation and Northern region in particular are facing serious challenges of insecurity, poverty, illiteracy and health burden, despite its rich human and material endowments. With Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli on the throne, Zazzau Emirate, Kaduna State Council of Chiefs and populace in general may look forward for the continuity of the legacy left behind by late Emir of peace and development in the ancient town. Considering the level of Emir Bamalli’s exposure and experience both in public and private world much are expected for him to deploy his wealth of experience in providing a purposeful leadership to both.
With emergence of His Excellency Bamalli as new Emir Zazzau the people and the government of Kaduna state expected him to fill the vacuum left behind by late Emir toward moving the society forward and maintained the tolerant atmosphere of Zazzau.
While his subjects expects him to follow the typical traits of late Shehu Idris exhibited throughout his 45 years on the throne. Late emir is known for his love and commitment to peace, welcoming and accommodating nature, for his progressive and modernizing approach to issues and his deep respect for constituted authority. The new emir can also use his exposure and experience to continue be emir who always after the welfare of his subjects and Not also remain a peacemaker. Be like your father in law in assisting the poor, the rich and the royal. Let you be Emir of all not only the Emir of Zazzau let your humanitarian and peacemaking spread across nooks and crannies o Zazzau, Kaduna and Nigeria at larger.
Long live the Emir of Zazzau
Dukawa can be reached on: [email protected]
