It was indeed a moment of excitement full of amazement throughout the previous week in the Misau domain as the new phase was opened in its annals. It was the elevation of a noble priest from the distinction of Maidalan Misau to the exalted and lofty office of Waziri (vizier). Now, Barr. Ahmed Ibrahim Dandija is the pristine brand new Wazirin Misau.
Throughout its history as Emirate, from 1830 during the reign of Sarki Muhammad Manga I to date, Misau Emirate has produced 3 Waziri (Viziers) starting from Sarki Ahmadu, Waziri Babaji, and Amb. Umar Babaji, as history has documented. It may be possible that there are other Waziris produced by the Emirate, but nothing was documented in their favor. The office of the Waziri was occupied by the same people from the same circle. Until now that the Maidala was ennobled to hold the office, an outsider of the circle is clinching it.
In another history, this is the first time in the Emirate that a traditional title holder is recognized and magnified from the office he is holding to another better office in honor of his sterling contribution to the development of the Emirate. The event is quite strange to many people who were not familiar with the Emirate system. But it is usual and orderly in the Sokoto caliphate, albeit not practiced in the Misau Emirate before.
Why the Excitement?
The appointment of Barr. Ahmed Ibrahim Dandija as the Maidalan Misau and member Misau Emirate Council was the most celebrated appointment then that it trended all over the Bauchi State, radio stations, television channels, and newspapers for quite a moment as if he were appointed the Emir. Besides him, esteemed politicians, business moguls, seasoned civil servants, professionals, and reputable scholars were conferred with traditional titles by the Emirate Council, but none generated the different reaction like that of Maidalan Misau. Again, history has repeats itself as his second appointment, as Wazirin Misau is still celebrated by friends, fans, supporters, and well-wishers within and outside Bauchi State. This time the jubilation is beyond the social media ecosystem in addition to the traditional communication system. The way people from Cranny and nook are celebrating is like ‘Ruwan dare game duniya’.
Being a man of his people, being close to them, and being their servant—aall of his struggles are for his people—iis the sole cause for all these celebrations. He gives wholeheartedly; he sacrificed and dedicated leaps and bounds all for his people. For these reasons, he was loved and cherished by his people. His matters and affairs concern everyone in his domain. To them, he is second to none. He is the most important person to them. People celebrate each stage of his development in a unique way because of his philanthropic nature.
The Office of Waziri
Traditionally, in the Sokoto Caliphate, the office of Waziri is the most eminent position next to the Emir; notwithstanding, a few emirates recognized the offices of Galadima and Madaki as the most senior councilors in the Emirate Council. In Bauchi State Emirates, the office of Waziri remained the most powerful and senior office, second to that of Emir in hierarchy, and the person holding the position is the Chairman of King Maker’s Committee. He serves as a close confidant and adviser to the emir. Among the functions of the office, Waziri is responsible for organizing other councillors and dealing with issues such as the appointment of traditional titles having the portfolio of district head and the routine administration of the various districts within the emirate.
The Waziri regulate the affairs of districts and has the authority to designate other council members to represent the Emir in areas like events, ceremonies, and conflict management, as well as community development engagements and discussions, as the case may be, since the Emir cannot be attending ceremonial events as Royal Father at once. The Waziri promotes the growth and development of the Emirate by ensuring that the emirate is governed effectively and efficiently through his office. Additionally, Waziri always reports his activities to the Emir.
This distinguished title, which translates to “one who wakes the ruler if he sleeps, to make him see if he is blind, to make him hear if he is deaf, and to remind him if he forgets,” perfectly captures the importance of the position in the administration of the Sokoto Caliphate. In summary, the Waziri office in Bauchi State and Misau Emirate is second only to the Emir.
Who Shall Be a Waziri?
Unlike the seat of Emir that traditionally is reserved for royal princes and heir apparent, the office of Waziri is open to all bona fide members of the Emirate whose records are unblemished, his notable achievements and national contributions sparkle, he is a community pillar, and his presence serves as a security to all and sundry. Whenever the seat of Waziri becomes vacant, like the seat of an Emir, there are cultural, historical, and royal considerations to be made for anyone eyeing the seat.
Now that the seat is becoming more competitive among top government officials, reputable politicians, and tycoons, the final decision of who is to be Waziri is with the state governor. The way an Emir is being appointed. Sometimes, the nature of a beast to qualify a candidate for the position of Waziri is more strict and meticulous than that of an Emir. Waziri is the chief administrative officer of the Emirate. In some instances, people judge Emirate not by its King/Emir but by its Waziri, as he considered the mirror of the kingdom.
Waziri is highly expected to use his capacity, influence, and networks to link his emirate with national and international development, irrespective of his political, tribal, and spiritual affiliation. In this context, Waziri is the chief diplomatic officer of his emirate, who oversees internal and external affairs of the emirate. This is just a brief about being a Waziri.
The Incumbent Waziri
For centuries and decades, Misau Emirate has produced notable and eminent sons and daughters endowed with intense influence in religion, education, politics, economy, farming, manufacturing, national security, civil service, etc. who played vital roles in different capacities within and outside the country. The incumbent Waziri of Misau is one of the few national figures rare among his contemporaries—pperhaps unmatched to his breeds who always keep his eye on the ball.
He started his adventurous career and ascent to the peak in 1986 as Assistant Executive Officer at Health Management Board Bauchi and rose through Legal Officer in former Inland Bank, Credit and Marketing Department, Head office Bauchi, Assistant Manager (Legal) Former Inland Bank Area Office Lagos, Deputy Manager Legal (Central Office Lagos) – Former Inland Bank, Manager (Legal) Former Inland Bank Lagos, Senior Manager-Former Inland Bank Head Office Annex Abuja, Principal Manager – Former Inland Bank Head Office Annex Abuja, Managing Director IBN Securities LTD Lagos, a subsidiary of Former Inland Bank PLC, Group Head, Zonal Coordination and Security Liaising (First Inland Bank Abuja), Divisional Head Amana Capital Pensions LTD as a Pension Fund Administrator (PFA).
Dandija attained the pinnacle of his career and fame from May 2007 to March 2014 while serving as the Secretary to the Bauchi State Government, a role he performed with diligence beyond comparable to any of his predecessors. In just 22 years, the Wazirin Misau have established a history and record that are unquestionably brass-bound and will be significant regardless of how long the Emirate lasts. Above all, generations will always be inspired and motivated by his story. Behold, Wazirin Misau hold membership certificates of the following professional bodies: Member, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Member, Certified Pension Institute of Nigeria, Member, Nigerian Institute of Management (MNIM), Student Member, Chartered Institute of Stock Brokers, and Fellow, Nigerian Institute of Management (FNIM).
With the title of Waziri, Dandija is now the bigger statesman, very strong and fierce. His appointment is a nod to my claim and to his profound intellect and achievements. It’s also a testimony that the state governor is ready for transformative leadership using traditional institutions. To believe in me, HE Alh. Atiku Abubakar GCON (Wazirin Adamawa) as Vice President was at Misau somewhere around 2002 for commissioning of road (Legal Bypass). Since then, Misau Emirate has never hosted President or Vice President until 28th August, 2024, when he visits Misau to condole with his political figure, then Maidalan Misau. This is to depict how influential he is nationally and his global perspective on national development.
Dandija has truly understood the complexities of the Emirate and rule of the game, and as a seasoned administrator, he will apply his decade of experience to ensure that the complexities are no longer functional. He grasps the factors hindering the Emirate’s development and will focus on making them history, as doing so is his butter and bread.
As a political juggernaut and national actor in the political sphere, he will decisively utilize his reputation and reach out to every corridor of power for his people, as he has no barriers. His passion for the development of his community is indeed a phenomenon that the current crop of state politicians has a lot to learn from him.
As Wazirin Misau, we are optimistic that he is here to write another history. In fact, this time with golden ink. Sooner, Wazirin Misau will become the symbol of Waziri in the Sokoto caliphate and model to other Waziris in decades to come as he will redefine the leadership phenomenon. I meant his elevation is a gain for the Emirate and the state. Misau Emirate is so lucky to have a gem like Dandija. An inestimable leader who will break the deck settings in the emirate to its standard using power, grace, tradition, honor, and discipline. May your reign be the best, Waziri. Ameen.Â
