A Bow in the Presence of Greatness

Noblenews has initiated the “Election Awareness and Sensitisation” – (EAS) campaign project to contribute its quota towards peaceful and successful conduct of the 2023 elections in Zaria – Sabon Gari and Zaria Local Government Areas (LGA).

Our slogan for the campaign is:

ELECTION AWARENESS AND SENSITISATION CAMPAIGN

“Your Vote, Your Voice, Your Right! Siyasaba da gababa!!”

“Beyond obtaining the PVC to actually vote”

We believe that the most viable project towards this election is to embark on massive sensitisation in this Target Area – Zaria (Sabon Gari and Zaria LGAs) being a microcosm of Nigeria.

For the importance of this enormous responsibility, Noblenews took the bull by the horn to start at the Zazzau Palace, on the feet of His Royal Highness, His Excellency, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli to seek for his Royal blessings.

His Highness, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli

The Emir of Zazzau

LADIES and GENTLEMEN, we are in the presence of greatness.

Even though we were honourably ushered in the presence of His Highness in an informal setting, not on the majestic throne of Zazzau and not in his royal robe, with the aura, presence permeating the air, you need not be told that you are in the presence of greatness.

For every second we spent in the more than one and a half hour in his presence, we sought, saw, thrilled and were enamoured by his inner presence only a select-few are privileged to encounter. There was that undergirding moral and spiritual values and committed love for his people – to me, that “is the true measure of lasting greatness,” in the words of Billy Graham.

His Highness has an enormous reservoir of knowledge and experience of someone who is a renaissance person with a tremendous deep knowledge of history, politics, culture and contemporary studies. We drew a lot of detailed information of vast and diverse tacit knowledge, combining new information with past knowledge.

Something, I do not know what, but certainly an auspicious contagious effect of transmuting Traditional Rulers, especially that of the Emirs immediately they ascend their ancestral throne, something seems to make people forget who they were and only concentrate in the paraphernalia and ostentatious regalia of their office. I had that effect in the presence of His Highness, otherwise, why should I be mesmerised by his in-depth analysis of the Nigerian State?

This is a man who read Law as his first degree and a Master’s degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy. He also has a Post Graduate Diploma in Management and another Diploma in Organisational Leadership Oxford University.

He is a Fellow on Conflict Resolution at the University of York of the UK. He is a Senior Chevening Fellow. Before his enthronement, His Highness had about twenty six years cognate experience covering Banking, Public Sector, Telecommunications, and Manufacturing. Indeed, to cap it all, he is an alumnus of the prestigious Harvard Business School.

Certainly, with these academic trappings and congnet experience in public service, His Excellency the Ambassador was versatile and urbane even long before he became the Emir of Zazzau.

We listened to His Excellency, the Ambassador in his Royal botanical garden. The effect of the collection of living plants at our background humbling us the more. It gave us a fascinating effect as a place of escape daily hardships.

We suck in its beauty of the natural exquisite display of colourful flowers with its greenery pleasantry. We were lost in wonder between the soothing voice of His Highness and the spectacular wonders of extraordinary landscapes. 

My mind oscillated    drinking the fountain of knowledge of His Highness before us and the natural charm of this verdant paradise of a garden.

I have had of the garden as his lifelong passion in which he projected the collection of succulent and drought-tolerant plants to commemorate his reign and leadership. But I am an ardent fan of Mamman Shata Katsina:

Banni zani Zariya in karatai abinga ukku da yayman Shehu. Zantafi Zariya in karatai abinga ukku da yayman Shehu. Niko abinnan naymani zafi abinga ukku da kaiman Shehu. Kayyo, ni fa abinnan naymani ciwo abinga ukku da kaiman Shehu. Ni naji zafi, yayman ciwo abunga ukku da kaiman Shehu.

Na farko ya fita yayrangadi ina gida bai aikamanba, akay hawan sallah bananan, akai buki baka aikaman ba. Kunjifa ya fita yayrangadi ina gida bai aikaman ba, akai hawan sallah bananan, akai buki baka aikaman ba.

Ina dalilin da kai buki baka aikaman ba, yau na ji dalilin da kai buki baka aikamin ba. Ham bari dariya sai na ji dalilin da kai buki baka aikaman ba.

Toh, His Highness, did not invite me when the royal botanical marvel of indoor plants vegetation and flowering beauties that turned out to serve as a creativity laboratory was declared open.

Noblenews Team with the Emir of Zazzau

A Bow in the Presence of Greatness

It is a botanical wonder, a spectacular taro terraces perfectly manicured garden, a visitor’s joy and delight. Ina dalilin da kai bukin bude gadin baka aikaman ba, yau na ji dalilin da kai buki baka aikamin ba. Ham bari dariya sai na ji dalilin da kai buki baka aikaman ba. Toh bari dariya, sai na ji dalilin da yasa akayi bukin gadin baka aikamin ba.

We were glued to his kingly voice, proving beyond reasonable doubt of his knowledge and experience on the issue that is incredibly helpful in helping us get off the ground running.

The 2023 general elections must go “Beyond obtaining the PVC to actually vote.” We must target a large voter turnout by mobilising a substantial percentage of the 95 million voters projected for the 2023 general election.

It was an enormous challenge. For the greater success and impact of election sensitisation campaign, we need the Royal Blessings and the Voice of His Highness, thus, we took a bow in the presence of greatness. In the words of Ann Marie Houghtailing, “It’s in the presence of greatness that you are challenged to rise to excellence.” His fatherly advice and guidance has increased our resolve and determination to give our quota in the 2023 elections.

Greatness is truly infectious. As we rose to leave, I felt a surge of greatness seeping and permeating my veins. I looked into the eyes of my teammates, I notice the glow in their faces and the radiant shine in their eyes and I knew, like me, they were feeling on top of the world – a feeling of greatness. Yes, we all felt great. J.C. Macaulay said, “One of the marks of greatness is the ability to develop greatness in others.” His words of wisdom, guidance and royal blessings have set in motion greatness in us, as we sought His Highness’ blessing for the take-off and implementation of the project.

Thank you – Your Highness.