On September 10, 2024, a unique and gracious celebration package commenced earnestly for the Etsu Nupe and Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers. The event was designed to celebrate Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar's 72nd birthday and 21 years on the throne as a first-class royal father. The Etsu is one of the revered traditional rulers in Nigeria, partly because of the tremendous impact he has made in the lives of the less privileged in his domain and even beyond. This year's celebration was exceptional for many reasons. One of them is the manner he touched the lives of countless less privileged citizens of the society in a manner no one expected. The celebration started on September 10 through September 15, 2024. On the first day of the week-long event, the royal father visited the Medium Security Custodial Centre located in Bida where he had a chat with the inmates and counseled them on morals while serving their various jail terms. As a compassionate father, Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar ( Bahagadozhi), facilitated the release of six inmates. He paid all that was needed, including their fines and compensation for those imprisoned because of debts. It was indeed, a heart-rending sight as the released prisoners and some persons who witnessed how it happened were shedding tears of joy. He also donated food items and toiletries to the inmates, encouraged them to be law-abiding and take full advantage of the educational and vocational programmes available to them to transform their lives. He emphasized the importance of them being productive and useful to themselves and the larger society after serving their jail terms. While receiving the royal father on behalf of the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service (CGCS), Malam Haliru Nababa: the Controller of Correctional Service, Niger State Command, Mr Maikudi Garba Adamu, applauded the Etsu Nupe for his support and care for the inmates. He congratulated him on his 21 years on the throne and his 72nd birthday, prayed for his susta ined good health, long life, and blessings for the progress of his domain and humanity in general. Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar also went to Bida remand home and donated cash and food items to the inmates. He also visited the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Bida, where he donated N5,000 cash to each of all the patients on admission, gave them packages that contain toiletries. Still in the spirit of the celebration, the royal father visited the school for the physically challenged and made donation of several items, including food stuff, cash and instructional materials. He also took time to empower widows, youths and other vulnerable residents of his domain. The epochal activities marking the 72nd birthday and 21 years on the throne climaxed with special prayers at the Bida Central Mosque. Speaking during the special prayers and walimat, the Royal Father appreciated God Almighty for keeping him alive and giving him sound heath. He also commended his subjects and all residents of the state for their support ove r the years since he ascended the throne. While commenting on the current economic hardship in the country, the royal father admonished his subjects to be patient and continue to pray for God's grace to overcome the present predicament. He also noted that there is no beginning that does not have an end, and stressed that there is no situation that prayer cannot change. He advised his subjects to stop blaming the government but rather continue to offer fervent prayers and trust in God, noting that all developed nations have passed through periods of hardship before stabilising to become great. While also enjoining his subjects to live in peace with each other over the years, he charged them to continue to tolerate one another and continue to resolve differences including land disputes amicably. He called on leaders at all levels to fear God and try as much as possible to put in place policies that will make life easy and meaningful for the less privileged members of the society. He particularly called on those who are saddled with the responsibilities of distributing agricultural inputs meant to be free, to ensure that they give genuine farmers free as stipulated by the government. Also, in a special Sunday service to mark the memorable event, the Bishop of Bida Anglican Church, Rt. Rev. Jonah Kolo thanked God for giving the Etsu Nupe the grace to celebrate the 72nd birthday. He also prayed for many more years in sound health and mind. He commended the Etsu Nupe for his unbiased way of handling issues in the kingdom and also carrying everybody along, including adherents of all religions. This, according to him, has been the enabler of peaceful coexistence in the state. President Bola Tinubu was also part of the celebration as he made public statement to congratulate the Etsu Nupe for attaining 21 years on the throne and 72nd birthday. This, many said, is a special recognition of the contribution of the royal father to the peaceful coexistence of residents of Niger State and to the growth of the country. In a congratulatory statement signed by the president's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, he said: 'President Tinubu recognises the strong and purposeful leadership of the Etsu Nupe as Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers and his contributions to the traditional leadership institution and community development. 'The President commends the first-class traditional ruler for supporting education and development initiatives and facilitating healthcare projects in Nupe Kingdom. 'President Tinubu also commends him for working for the stability of the country by promoting peaceful coexistence and cooperation among different ethnic groups, not only in Niger State but also throughout Nigeria. 'The President also notes the Etsu Nupe's steadfastness in promoting interfaith harmony and understanding among different religious groups since he assumed his ancestors' throne more than two decades ago. 'He urges the highly regarded monarch of the Nupe Kingdom to continue to foster national unity and development. 'President Tinubu wishes the king good health and happiness as he celebrates.' On his part, Gov. Mohammed Umaru-Bago of Niger also eulogised the wisdom and deep knowledge demonstrated by the Etsu Nupe in providing purposeful leadership to residents of his kingdom over the past 21 years. In a congratulatory message, the governor commended the fatherly role that the 13th Etsu Nupe has been playing not just among the Nupe-speaking people but throughout the nation. He noted that the unity and high cultural values among his subjects speak volumes of his purposeful leadership. The governor stressed that the Etsu Nupe had done exceptionally well to promote, strengthen and sustain the age-long rich cultural heritage of the Nupe Kingdom. He categorically noted that the reign of Etsu Nupe has tremendously impacted positively on not only his subjects alone but also diverse Nigerians around his kingdom, describing him as a bridge-builder, selfless, determined and caring leader , who always stands by his people. 'It is, therefore, important to stress that the revered royal father needs the continued support, prayers and goodwill of all residents of Niger state to enable him to continue to provide the needed leadership to people. 'Youths in the state must also learn and emulate the virtues (love and care for each other), of the royal father for a peaceful and prosperous Niger State. 'Let me also join millions of residents of Niger state and the country at large to wish our royal father long life, good health and more prosperous years ahead,' Bago said. The Minister of Information and National Orientation Alhaji Mohammed Idris described the Etsu Nupe as 'a worthy leader who has displayed exceptional wisdom to his people'. While identifying himself with the successes recorded by the Nupe traditional ruler Idris, who holds the title of Kakaaki Nupe, commended the peace and prosperity in Nupe land under his leadership. 'Etsu Nupe has been a worthy leader who has displayed exception al wisdom to his people, and to which both the Niger State and federal governments have benefitted over the past two decades. 'It is not in doubt that his reign has witnessed peace and prosperity in Kin Nupe and will continue to be a blessing to his people and to the nation'', Idris said. Similarly, Alhaji Mustapha Abubakar-Bida, Sarkin Dawaki and Chairman, New Niger Development Projects Development also joined the multitude to celebrate Etsu Nupe. 'Your twenty-one years of visionary leadership, wisdom, and unwavering commitment to the progress of our great Nupe Kingdom'', Abubakar-Bida said. Source: News Agency of Nigeria