OBITUARY: Mukhtar Adnan, Sarkin Bai Kano, (1926-2021)
By Adnan Mukhtar Tudunwada
POLITICS DIGEST- On the 3rd of December 2021, Kano woke up to the sad news of the death of the oldest kingmaker in the state, Alhaji Mukhtari Adnan.
Adnan who held the traditional title of Sarkin Bai is one of the four kingmakers of the Kano Emirate.
He was the oldest among them and the only one that participated in the selection of four emirs of Kano which include: Muhammadu Inuwa, Ado Bayero, Muhammadu Sanusi and Aminu Ado Bayero.
He was the District Head of Dambatta before he was sacked in 2019 by the then Emir of Bichi, Aminu Ado Bayero, for his failure to pay homage to the new Emir.
Life and Times
According to a historian and writer on Kano Emirate, Ibrahim Ado Kurawa, Adnan was born in 1926.
He attended Dambatta Elementary School, Kano Middle School and Zaria Clerical School.
He started his working career in the Kano Native Authority where he served in various capacities before his elevation to the position of Sarkin Bai.
He was a Member of the Federal House of Representatives during the First Republic.
He was also appointed the first Kano State Commissioner for Education in 1968.
He served for 63 years as Councillor, District Head and Secretary of Kingmakers in Kano.
The Fall of a Colossus – Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari said the death of 95-year-old Adnan, one of the longest serving kingmakers in the history of Kano Emirate, represented the fall of a colossus with a remarkable record of service.
“The Sarkin Bai Kano was an immense historical figure who loomed large in our political and cultural affairs.
“Adnan’s record of serving Kano Emirate for 63 years and as a Chief Whip in the First Republic parliament qualifies him to be one of our greatest historical players and actors in the evolution of Nigeria.
”He participated not only in the selection of four emirs in Kano emirate, but will also be remembered for his contributions to the development of our democracy.
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“I’m proud to say, without any fear of contradiction, that Adnan belongs to the golden age of our democracy, when the main motivation for politicians was selfless public service rather than the desire to amass wealth,” the President was quoted in a statement by his spokesman, Garba Shehu.
We Lost a Rare Gem – Ganduje
On his part, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano described him as a rare gem, a highly disciplined and a patriotic leader.
The governor said the nonagenarian passed away when Kano needed his foresight the most.
In a statement issued by Abba Anwar, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ganduje, he was quoted as saying, “We received the death of this gentleman and a disciplined statesman with shock. The death is for all of us, the state and the country in general.
“We still appreciate the development he brought to education sector, when he was Commissioner for Education.
“As a federal legislator who served at the National Assembly in the First Republic, Dr Mukhtar Adnan, was one of those politicians who shaped our democracy to its present state of development and survival.”
Final Journey Home
The late Sarkin Bai died in the early hours of Friday after a brief illness at the age of 95 and has since been buried according to islamic rites in Dambatta after Jumaat prayer same day.
While leading the funeral prayer, the chief lmam of Dambatta who described the death as a huge loss, prayed to God to grant him eternal rest.
Also speaking, Aminu Dantata, who happens to be a friend of the deceased, said an icon has gone. The business mogul who spoke in an emotion-ladden voice prayed to God to erase his errors and make paradise his final abode.
Other personalities who attended the funeral prayer include Emirs of Kano and Bichi as well as former governor of Kano state Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
He left behind twenty five children and many relations among whom are the Vice President of Islamic Development Bank, Dr Mansur Mukhtar.
Hundreds of people from various walks of life have been trooping to the town to condole the bereaved family.
