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Wearing the Turban, Bearing the Burden: The Enormous Task Before the New Galadiman Kano

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The promotion of Wamban Kano Munir Sanusi as Galadiman Kano today, May 2, 2025, marks an important moment in the history of Kano’s sarauta institution. More than a ceremonial installment, it is the continuation of a title whose symbolic and administrative significance has long anchored the cohesion of Kano; first as a kingdom, and since the nineteenth century, as an emirate. This moment is charged with expectation, arriving at a time Kano Emirate is caught in a vortex of political contestation, juridical uncertainty, and generational transition. It will be the day a man who is both brother and foster son to a former Galadima, and son-in-law to another, assumes such an important office.

The title of Galadima, derived from the Kanuri galdi-ma, meaning “chief of the western front,” emerged during the administrative reforms of Kano’s second Hausa ruler, Sarki Warisi dan Bagauda, in the 11th century. Over time, it evolved into one of the most powerful and most senior princely offices across Hausa land. Until Emir Abdullahi Maje Karofi (1855-1882) appointed his son Yusufu as Galadima, the title had traditionally been reserved for the king’s/emir’s uncle, eldest brother or closest male kin: typically someone older and therefore unlikely to succeed to the throne.

Elsewhere, I have argued that Maje Karofi’s deviation from this established custom was one of the remote causes of the Kano Civil War of 1893. In essence, the appointment of a son to such a crucial position, naturally altered the institutional role of the Galadima, who historically functioned as a check on the emir’s authority. This explains Maje Karofi’s decision to depose his brother Abdulkadir, for expressing growing concern over certain decisions and practices at court the latter deemed inappropriate.

As demonstrated by the reigns of Galadiman Kano Daudu, Atuma, and the Fulani-era Galadimas Maje Karofi and Tijjani Hashim, the office has often wielded influence that paralleled or even eclipsed that of the king/emir. Until the 19th century, titles like Dan Ruwatan Kano were accorded to the kinsman or son of the galadima, while Dan Darman Kano was reserved for his cognatic kinsman. Traditionally, the Galadima served as vizier, head of civil administration, and head of his own mini-palace, independent of the Emir’s court. Court praise-singers aptly describe bearers of the title as Daudu rakumin Kano, the camel that bears the city’s burden; Daudu gatan birni, the protector of the city; and Rumfa sha shirgi, the palace’s dust heap where disputes are deposited and resolved. In recent times, no one embodied such praise and fuction as the late Galadiman Kano Tijjani Hashim.

Widely regarded as the archetype of the modern Galadima, Tijjani Hashim redefined the office in an era when the sarauta was stripped of formal political power. He transformed it into a bastion of accessible influence, strategic mediation, and public service. His residence functioned as a daily court of appeals, open to aristocrats, commoners, and royal slaves alike. He was the man to whom a poor student could turn for a scholarship, a merchant for capital, a civil servant for promotion, a politician for sponsorship, and a broken family for reconciliation.

Tijjani Hashim died in 2014 and was succeeded by the charismatic Abbas Sanusi, whose reign as Galadima was cut short by a protracted illness. Abbas Sanusi was a disciplined and astute administrator, widely respected for his command of the emirate’s bureaucratic machinery. Yet his tenure was constrained by declining health, which limited his capacity to perform some of Galadima’s traditional roles, particularly inter-familial diplomacy. It is from Abbas Sanusi that the title now transitions to his younger brother, Alhaji Munir Sanusi, marking a rare case of intergenerational and intra-familial continuity, even by the standards of Kano’s dynastic politics. Their relationship was not merely fraternal, it was paternal. Abbas raised Munir from infancy, shaping his worldview and instilling in him the refined fadanci he has mastered and discreetly used to his advantage. Adding further symbolic weight is the fact that Munir is married to Hajiya Mariya Tijjani Hashim, daughter of the very man whose name has become synonymous with the Galadima title in recent memory. Thus, the new Galadima stands at the confluence of two great legacies—bound by blood to Abbas, and by marriage to Tijjani.

Born on January 12, 1962, Munir Sanusi Bayero was the last son of Emir Sir Muhammad Sanusi I to be born in the Kano palace. Raised by his late brother, Galadima Abbas Sanusi, he later married his second cousin, Hajiya Mariya, a union that has continued to epitomize royal love and companionship. Alhaji Munir Sanusi received his primary education at Gidan Makama Primary School, and his secondary education at Government Secondary School Dambatta from 1976 to 1981. He later obtained a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in New Delhi.

Galadima Munir Sanusi’s career commenced in the Kano State Ministry of Social Welfare, Youth, and Sports, where he served as a Transport Officer from 1989 to 1991. He later joined Daula Enterprises Co. Ltd, Kano, from 1991 to 1993. He currently sits on the board of several companies, including Tri-C3 and Unique Leather Finishing Co. Ltd, the second-largest exporter of leather in West Africa.

In 2014, the Emir of Kano Khalifa Muhammad Sanusi II appointed him as Dan Majen Kano and pioneer Chief of Staff to the Emir in Kano Emirate, He was elevated to the position of Danburam Kano in 2016 and Wamban Kano and district head of Bichi in 2024. Today, he assumes the prestigious title of Galadiman Kano.

Galadima Munir’s loyalty to Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II has earned him considerable admiration within and beyond Kano. When the Emir was deposed in March 2020 and exiled to Loko in Nasarawa State, Munir not only followed him into banishment but remained by his side through Lagos and back to Kano. Now that the Emir has rewarded that loyalty with the emirate’s highest princely office, Munir faces a challenge no less noble than the title he inherits.

For one, loyalty is only one pillar of what I call, “the burdens of the Galadima”. The office demands generosity, accessibility, discretion, and the ability to shoulder the hopes of a people whose faith in the sarauta system is repeatedly tested. Here lies the Galadima’s greatest trial. Like his predecessors, he must cultivate a public image as a patron of the weak, a reconciler of royal, noble amd common feuds, and a figure of last resort to both the high and the low. He must embody _rumfa sha shirgi_ in practice: bearing the burdens of others, not just out of obligation, but with discernment, sincerity, and grace. His word must be his bond, for _zancen Galadima kamar zancen Sarki ne_: the word of the Galadima is expected to be final, unwavering, and free of bitterness.

The task becomes all the more urgent against the backdrop of Kano’s current emirship crisis. While Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II’s return has been celebrated in many quarters, it remains the subject of intense legal and political contestation. In this precarious climate, the Galadima must go beyond ceremonial visibility. He must be the Emirate’s anchor, bridging palace factions and translating the noble project of restoring the sarauta back to its sense to the wider public. Galadima Munir’s early efforts at reconciling estranged branches of the royal family and diffusing internal tensions suggest a promising political instinct. But history demands more than instinct; it demands an ethic of honor and sustained human investment.

To become Galadiman Kano today is not merely to wear a turban. It is to accept a lifetime project of prioritizing the interest of the Sarauta and the talakawa over one’s. It is knowing that one’s home inevitably becomes a revolving court and one’s influence becomes public trust. Any failure to wield it generously, the memory of that failure will linger far longer than any quiet success.

Alhaji Munir Sanusi ascends the title of Galadima with the wind of history at his back and the shadows of giants before him. He is son and brother to a Galadima, and son-in-law to the most revered of them. If he can merge these legacies with his quiet resolve and proven loyalty, he may yet restore the Galadima as the most vital conduit between the emirate and its people.

As the title awaits its meaning, Kano welcomes its new Galadima.

Allah ya kama, Raba musu rana da hazo

Allah ya taya riko, Daudu kwatangwalon giye.

Allah ya taimaki, tomo jiniyar gari

Huzaifa Dokaji writes from New York and can be reached via huzaifadokaji@gmail.com

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Opinion

Tribute to Haruna Dauda Biu – A Life of Integrity and Devotion

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2 days ago

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May 21, 2025

By

Late Haruna Dauda Biu

 

By Hamza Idris

The news of the passing of Haruna Dauda Biu has left a void in our hearts, one that words can scarcely fill. Haruna was more than just a broadcast journalist—he was a man of profound integrity, a compassionate friend, and a dedicated professional who gave his best to the craft he loved.

Our last conversation, just ten days ago on May 9, 2025, remains vivid in my memory. What started as a simple inquiry about his health and family turned into a heartbreaking moment as he broke down in tears. It was devastating to witness his pain, yet I reassured him and prayed that Almighty Allah would see his suffering as an act of Ibadah and reward him accordingly.

A few minutes after my conversation with Haruna, I called the widow of our late colleague, Malam Isa Umar Gusau. To my utter shock, she revealed that Haruna, despite his failing health, had reached out to her a few days earlier. He had spoken of a small debt—less than ten thousand naira—which he owed Isa, a sum that might seem trivial to many but weighed heavily on his conscience. He recalled how Isa had given him money to purchase a transistor radio, a task left undone before Isa’s passing on January 14, 2024.

Even as his body grew weak, Haruna’s spirit remained steadfast. He pleaded with Isa’s widow to send him her bank account details so he could return the money—not for her, but for Isa’s children, who had a rightful claim to their father’s possessions. She tried to convince him otherwise, telling him that even if the amount had been substantial, she wouldn’t have taken it, considering the bond Haruna shared with her late husband. But Haruna insisted—it was a matter of principle, a testament to his unwavering sense of responsibility.

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His kindness stretched far beyond professional boundaries. Haruna was my immediate neighbor at the 1000 Housing Estate while I served as the Bureau Chief of Daily Trust in Maiduguri. Though I relocated to Abuja in 2015 due to rising insecurity, Haruna remained a pillar of support, always ensuring I was well taken care of. His generosity was boundless, his priorities unshaken by material pursuits—he stood firmly by his family, friends, and colleagues, offering his unwavering support in times of need.

Governor Babagana Zulum extended a hand to Haruna in his time of distress, facilitating his treatment, including an overseas medical trip. His kindness will not go unnoticed. Similarly, the Correspondents’ Chapel of the NUJ, Borno State Chapter, stood by Haruna throughout his ordeal—a testament to the enduring camaraderie among journalists.

Now, he has joined Isa in the hereafter, just sixteen months apart. We can only pray that Almighty Allah expands his resting place, forgives his shortcomings, and takes charge of the affairs of his widows and children. Haruna leaves behind a legacy of integrity, selflessness, and devotion—qualities we should all strive to emulate.

Allah Sarki! Allah Ya ji kan su baki daya. Allah Ya sada su a Aljannah.

Adieu, Haruna. You will be dearly missed.

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Opinion

Tinubu, Barau, NASS’s Efforts in Flushing Criminals Out of Nigerian Forests

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5 days ago

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May 18, 2025

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By Abba Anwar

Deputy Senate President Barau I Jibrin’s deep rooted interest and his good working relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as widely manifested in the existing harmony between Executive and Legislature, played a critical role in Tinubu’s assent to Nigeria Hunters Forest Security Service (NHFSS), into Law.

As officially made public by the official X account, of the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Mr Sunday Dare, recently.

He reveals that, “President Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of armed forest guards to secure Nigeria’s 1,129 forests from terrorists and criminal gangs.”

National Assembly fast tracked its passage, in accordance with all legislative stages with dispatch. This calls for commendation of the National Assembly for the patriotic legislative responsibility.

After the Bill passed all legislative stages, the NHFSS discussed within the top echelon, at the strategic meetings they held, as they came up with the conclusion that, looking at DSP Jibrin’s special effort in the promotion of peace and security of North West, there was a critical need to pay him a courtesy call at his office. And intimate him about their demand seeking for President Tinubu’s assent to the Bill.

During the visit, somewhere in March, when the Commander-General of the outfit, Dr Joshua Osatimehin, who led a powerful delegation of the Service, DSP Jibrin said “Nigeria urgently needs the services of NHFSS in its effort to rid the country of banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and other related crimes, usually perpetrated within our forests.”

Being deeply disturbed by the insecurity taking place across the nation, he explained that, ” We want appreciate you, your officers and men for what you are doing so far. The contribution you are making in the fight against banditry, kidnapping and related crimes, has helped the country a lot.”

Knowing fully that, there cannot be development without peace and tranquility, the Deputy Senate President, promised that he would do his possible best to see to the Presidential assent of the Bill.

Appreciating that, ” It is therefore easy to understand that signing of the Nigeria Hunters Forest Security Service Bill into Law will enable you to do more.”

Not only that, he assured them that he would also see for the other things that would make the Service to work effectively and efficiently. As he relayed to the Commander-General and his men that, ” It is important to have a fully funded and well equipped Service dedicated to manning the forests which would not allow criminals operate within them.” A patriotic posture indeed.

Osatimehin made it very clear with the Deputy Senate President that, “NHFSS operatives had begun complimenting other security agencies, especially in intelligence gathering and sharing with security agencies as well as arrests and handover of criminals.”

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As President assented the Bill, Mr Dare reveals that, “The President directed that the forest guards be well-trained and armed to carry out their primary duty of flushing out terrorists and other criminals hiding in the forests for illegal activities. The recruitment is a collaborative security effort between the federal and state governments.”

Adding that, “The Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the Ministry of Environment have been tasked with overseeing and ensuring the full implementation of the initiative. Thousands of young Nigerians are expected to be employed as personnel of the newly established outfit.”

This demonstrates clearly, how concerned is President Tinubu about the security of our people, and that of our forests. With this Law, many hands would be on deck for finding a lasting solution to this lingering problem. Mostly affecting Northern Nigeria.”

While the timely intervention of the Deputy Senate President in making sure that the Bill was assented by the President, it became a reality. As in less than two months between his promise of meeting the President, that was in March and the Presidential assent of the Bill into Law, in May, says a lot in DSP’s commitment towards safer North and peaceful nation in general.

This workable working synergy between the duo, means a lot in national integration and enduring political leadership, between President Tinubu and Senator Jibrin. A very important and enthusiastic relationship.

Even at the global arena, Senator Jibrin’s effort is recognized in that area. As the African Director, International Association of World Peace Advocates, Ambassador John Metchie, thanked him for pledging to ensure the passage of the NHFSS Bill into Law by President Tinubu. As he also commended the National Assembly for their effort.

For proper and effective implementation of NHFSS Law, even before it was passed into Law, the Service, recently organized some Training Sessions in Abuja, where the Commander – General, Mr Osatimehin, was reported to have said, “This training is aimed at strengthening the Agency’s capacity to collaborate with other security outfits in tackling crimes, within forests areas.”

According to an online newspaper, TheCable of 11th May, 2025, Mr Osatimehin said, “The Department of State Services (DSS), was there, the Military, the Police, have all come to offer their parenting experience to our officers. And I believe, we are graduating stronger, more confident and more strategic.”

TheCable disclosed that, Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory, Mr Ajao Adewale, was there at the training programme. Who appreciated that no single agency could monopolize security operations. Adding that, ” The training will promote inter – agency cooperation and enhance intelligence – led operations within the forest zones.”

The Chairman of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Muhammad Buba Marwa, was ably represented at the programme by the Deputy Director Operations and Investigation, Mr Kayode Raji.

At the occasion, the Commander – General sums it up when he said, “This will embolden our officers across the various commands to strategize with the relevant authorities, so that we can take the battle to the forests and these criminal elements.”

Senator representing Kano North, His Excellency, the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, without any fear of mincing words, clearly understands the dire need for peaceful Northern forests, to become centres of attraction for tourists and for the preservation of our natural environment.

Hence, his multiple efforts in making sure that the Nigeria Hunters Forests Security Service Bill had an appreciative legislative deliberations and fiat assent from Mr President. What exactly happened. We now have a fresh Law in place. Kudos Mr President! Viva DSP!! Adieu National Assembly!!!

Anwar was Chief Press Secretary to the former Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje CON and can be reached at fatimanbaba1@gmail.com
17th May, 2025

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Opinion

NBA President Misinformed On the suspension of Live Political Broadcast in Kano

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1 week ago

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May 16, 2025

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It is with grave concern and deep disappointment that we feel obliged to respond to the recent statement credited to the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, entitled “Kano State Government Cannot Usurp NBC’s Role or Gag Free Speech.” While the title may project the image of a principled and objective stand, however the content reveals a shocking lack of due diligence, restraint, and national responsibility expected from the leader of the Nigeria’s foremost legal association

For the NBA President to issue such a sweeping condemnation against the Kano State Government without verified facts, direct engagement, or even a formal inquiry is not only premature but shamefully unprofessional. We are therefore compelled to ask: Has the NBA reached out to the Kano State Government for clarification? Did the NBA receive any official complaint from its Kano branch or media stakeholders within the state? Or is this simply a desperate attempt to strike a public outrage, create unnecessary tension, or project NBA as a concerned stakeholder

It is a well-established fact that the purported “ban” on live political programming was not a directive from the Kano State Government, but a resolution made by the Media Executives’ Forum during its quarterly meeting that was attended by stakeholders who understand the Kano media landscape and local sensitivities. The aim was to curb rising recklessness, disrespectful, insensitive, and inflammatory commentary that could incite unrest, but not to suppress free speech.

It is, therefore, deeply disturbing for the NBA President to portray the situation as an assault on constitutional freedom, particularly without making any effort to verify the facts.

For someone of his stature, issuing such sensational and unfounded statements is not only misleading, damaging on the integrity of this high esteemed body, but also dangerously reckless.

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Statements like these risk inflaming public sentiment, undermining trust in institutions, and provoking unnecessary unrest in an otherwise peaceful state. The NBA’ s president hasty statements on the suspension of live political broadcast in Kano’ is unwarranted, shameful, and potentially destabilizing.

More troubling, however, is the NBA’s deafening silence on truly urgent national crises. Where was the NBA when scores of innocent Kano citizens lives were massacred at Oromi in Edo State? Did NBA issue even a sympathy message to the family, Kano people or the Government of Kano over the unfortunate incident?
Where was NBA when ethnic killings ravaged Plateau State, and what did NBA do to hold those responsible accountable?
Why has the NBA remained mute on the rise of kidnappings and killings that have crippled Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States, leading to the death of innocent souls, displacement and economic collapse

What is the NBA’s position on the constitutional chaos and robbery of democratic rights of over four million Rivers State people, whose mandates were snatched under the gun to State of Emergency? And how about the disturbing actions in the National Assembly where critical decisions are being made without broad consultation?

Is the NBA president selective in choosing which issues to address ignoring national emergencies while rushing to comment on unverified state-level development? Such a skewed and reactionary approach raises questions about the motives behind this approach. Is this an attempt to politicize the NBA or to undermine Kano State for some other hidden agendas?

It is both ironic and unfortunate that the NBA, which should be a moral compass and a guardian of justice, has instead chosen the path of propaganda and half-truths. The NBA president must resist the urge to play to the gallery or risk reducing the association’s credibility to mere political noise.

We call on the NBA Executive Council, through its Ethics and Privileges Committee, to urgently investigate and address this unprofessional and inflammatory behaviour. If no disciplinary action is taken within 72 hours, we may be forced to conclude that the NBA, under its current leadership, is complicit in attempts to destabilize Kano State. We will not hesitate to pursue legal action for defamation of character and for inciting unnecessary tension in our dear state.

Signed:
Tijjani Sarki,
Secretary General,
Eye on Kano Initiative

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