The late Ado Bayero, Emir of Kano was one of the more enlightened, moderate, and progressive Northern Nigerian Emirs of his time. Although an adherent of the Wahabi sect, he was not an Islamist extremist. He was a career diplomat before his appointment as Emir. His life as an Emir is eloquent evidence that the civilities and refinements of modern diplomacy passed through him. He retained them even as an Islamic leader in a multi-religion country. He eschewed violence as a means of enforcing Islamic practice or gaining/maintaining political power and influence. He understood and respected religious difference. He got along well with non-Muslims and some including Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu were his closest friends. He was a man of peace, desire prosperity for all, loved and enjoyed life, and wished all people will do the same. He was a moderate wave in a violent sea. It was never a surprise that different Islamic extremist groups in Northern Nigeria, over time, made several attempts on his life. He will be dearly missed.
The Reuters report below has some inaccuracies. The Emir of Gwandu, not the Emir of Kano is next to the Sultan of Sokoto in ascendency/primacy. The first Emir of Gwandu, Abdullahi dan Fodio was Usman dan Fodio’s brother. Usman dan Fodio, founder of the Sokoto caliphate so positioned Abdullahi and his emirate. There was a Kano Emirate before the Usman dan Fodio’s Fulani Jihad. That was the great Islamic empire. The present Kano Emirate is a creation of the Fulani Jihad. Ado Bayero belonged to the latter.
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From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com [mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Toyin Falola
Sent: Friday, June 06, 2014 11:20 AM
To: dialogue
Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Obituary: Emir Ado Bayero of Kano
June 06, 2014
Nigerian Islamic Traditional Monarch Dies
The Emir of Kano, Nigeria's second-highest Islamic authority and a revered figure in the largely Muslim north, died on Friday.
Ado Abdullahi Bayero, who was on the throne for half a century, died peacefully in his palace at the age of 83, two palace sources told Reuters.
Though he rarely spoke publicly, he was seen as a critic of Islamist insurgent group Boko Haram, who were suspected to be behind an attack on his convoy in January last year that killed four of his body guards.
The palace at the time said he had escaped unhurt, although he was flown to London for treatment shortly afterwards.
Practicing a Wahabist brand of Islam modeled on the Afghan Taliban, Boko Haram are anti-establishment and often attack Islamic clerics, many of whom they regard as corrupt, self serving and insufficiently strict in their interpretation of the Koran. They killed the Emir of Gwoza Alhaji Idrissa Timta in an attack on his convoy last Friday.
The Emirate of Kano was one of the great Islamic empires that dotted the Sahara from medieval times, profiting from caravan routes connecting Africa's interior with its Mediterranean coast.
Toyin Falola
Department of History
The University of Texas at Austin
104 Inner Campus Drive
Austin, TX 78712-0220
USA
512 475 7224
512 475 7222 (fax)
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