The Etsu Nupe, Mr Yahaya Abubakar, has been congratulated by President Bola Tinubu on his 73rd birthday. He was also greeted by the President for being on the throne for 22 years.
The traditional ruler became the leader of the Nupe Kingdom after he was installed as the 13th Etsu Nupe in 2003.
In a statement on Friday, Mr Tinubu praised the monarch for his patriotic service to the country and leadership within the country’s traditional institutions, saying the “Etsu Nupe has contributed immensely to nation-building.”
In the statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the king was commended for using “his revered position to promote unity, harmony, religious tolerance, peace and reconciliation in the country.”
“His humility, courage and leadership experience have been brought to bear on his responsibilities as Chairman, Abuja Mosque and Chairman Coordinating Committee of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria,” another part of the statement read.
The President prayed to God to grant the Nupe shah more years and greater wisdom to lead his people and keep his territory peaceful and prosperous.
Before becoming the traditional leader of Nupeland, Mr Abubakar, born on September 12, 1952, served in the military and rose to the rank of a Brigadier-General. While serving the nation in the Armed Forces, he held important operational positions, including his last before retirement as the Director of Foreign Operations at the Nigerian Defense Headquarters (DHQ) in Abuja.
The monarch, who is from the Usman Zaki ruling house of Bida Emirate, enrolled into the Nigerian Defence Academy (1973–1975) in preparation for joining the Nigerian Army.