Hajiya Zainab Ado Bayero, daughter of the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, and an advocate for good governance, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to address Nigeria’s pressing economic challenges. She noted that many citizens and families are currently struggling to survive amid inflation and high market prices.
Describing the current emirship situation in Kano as “a very unfortunate situation,” Zainab urged all parties involved to handle the matter with caution and respect for tradition. Speaking to the press ahead of her father’s 10th posthumous anniversary, she expressed concern over the challenging economic environment, ethnic divisions, and the ongoing scuffle within the Kano emirate.
Zainab, a filmmaker, is the daughter of the late Emir of Kano, Ado Abdullahi Bayero, who ascended the throne on October 22, 1963, and passed away on June 6, 2014, at the age of 83. She emphasized the need for the President to implement policies and programs that would positively impact the masses, particularly in addressing inflation and rising fuel prices.
“The President should take his time and try to tackle the economic situation in Nigeria. I mean the inflation, increasing market and fuel prices are having a great strain on the daily lives of the citizens,” Zainab stated.
She also highlighted the importance of national unity, noting, “The President should also unite Nigerians; there’s a lot of hate and anger amongst different tribes. I believe if the citizens feel safe and are able to afford basic necessities such as food, shelter, and school fees, they would have hope in their nation.”
Reflecting on her father’s legacy, Zainab described the late Emir as “a man of great attributes and a man of peace, who believed in the unity of Nigeria.” She added, “My dad was a patriot; he believed in the unity of this great country. He was a man who believed that every Nigerian, irrespective of their tribe or religion, should live in peace and harmony. His greatest legacy was being a peacemaker.”
She recounted how her father always preached calm during turbulent times, despite ruling over a volatile city. “He always took up the mantle to preach calm during the most turbulent times in Nigeria. He was the emir of a very volatile city but regularly encouraged his people to resist violence or aggression,” she said.
Addressing the current emirship tussle in Kano, Zainab reiterated her call for caution, stating, “The Kano emirate has existed for a thousand years. Yes, there have been and will always be battles for supremacy in the quest for power, particularly in royal families. However, traditional institutions should be respected and not used as a pawn in political games.”
Her appeal for caution and respect for tradition comes at a crucial time, as the Kano emirate continues to navigate its internal challenges amidst a broader context of national economic and social issues.
