The new Emir of Nasarawa in Nasarawa Emirate of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Jibril, was the former Minister of State Environment and former Wambai or Prince of Nasarawa. Daily Trust on Sunday reports how he ascended the throne.
Royalty especially in Africa is highly revered. It was then no surprise then when President Muhammadu Buhari humbly recognized such and called erstwhile Minister of State for Environment, Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Jibrin as “Your Highness” at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on December 12, 2018. It was Alhaji Jibril’s valedictory meeting as he was appointed the Emir of Nasarawa on December 7, 2018.
When the President arrived the chamber, and after the national anthem, he called out to Alhaji Jibril saying “Prayers Your Highness.” That is how traditional institutions are held in high esteem.
Parents, birth and royal linage
The new Emir of Nasarawa in Nasarawa State, Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Jibril, was born on January 27, 1958 in Nasarawa town to Fagacin Nasarawa, Alhaji Usman Maikwato Jibril and Hajiya Fatima Ibrahim all of blessed memory.
His father was the son of Makama Jibril, the eldest son of the 8th Emir of Nasarawa, Umaru Maje Haji. He is a great grandson of Sarki Umaru Maje Haji and therefore a descendant of Umaru Makama Dogo, the founder of Nasarawa.
Education
The new Emir, called and known as “Baba na Kulu”, was brought up by his parents and as customary in Muslim-Fulani communities, began his educational pursuit at the palace’s Koranic school under Mallam Babba and later under Mallam Jibril Jatau of Bakin Kogi quarters.
He was enrolled into Nasarawa Central Primary School during the time of the famous teachers: Malam Hussaini Katukan Nasarawa and Mallam Dallah, all of blessed memory. After he completed and obtained a class 7 primary school certificate, he proceeded to Government Secondary School, Nasarawa which has now been renamed Government Day Science School Nasarawa.
Work and career
After he obtained a secondary school certificate, he took up a teaching career and was posted to his alma mater, Nasarawa Central Primary School, where he taught for one year before he gained admission at the School of Preliminary Studies, Yola, in the then Gongola State (Now Adamawa/Taraba states) in 1976 and completed in 1978.
He also returned to his alma-mater, Government Secondary School, Nasarawa as a teacher up to 1980 when he was admitted into the Bayero University, Kano (BUK) for his first degree in Education and Geography where he graduated in 1983.
The Emir has served his one year mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at the Nigerian Army School of Artillery in Kachia, Kaduna State as an instructor in Map Reading. After his NYSC in 1984, he briefly served as a lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa before taking up appointment with the Plateau State Ministry of Education where he was posted to New Karshi as a teacher.
In 1985, Alhaji Ibrahim transferred his service to the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT) Abuja where he continued his teaching career at GSS Kuje for two years.
Further studies
Emir Jibril later gained admission again to BUK for his Master degree in Land Resource and Administration, which he successfully completed in 1990.
Managerial positions
After completing his Master degree, the Emir was transferred from education to the department of Land, Planning and Survey of the FCT on January 1990 where he distinguished himself and was assigned numerous sensitive and crucial assignments which includes been the Secretary to the committee on Abuja Master Plan, saddled with the responsibility of collating all data and information on land area and allocated lots in the FCT, Abuja.
He spent 25 years as a Land Officer in the FCT. He is a land reform specialist, a former Deputy Director, Development Control Abuja, and has worked with more than five FCT Ministers. He was also a Director of Land Administration Department of the FCT.
Similarly, Jibril transferred his service to the Nasarawa State Geographic Information System (NAGIS) where he held different positions before he was appointed as Minister of State for Environment. At NAGIS, he became known as the “NAGIS’s Brain Box” due to his tact for work.
Worthy of note was that at NAGIS, he managed a project worth $16.876 million using modern geospatial technologies to develop a modern geospatial data infrastructure for the state. The project has three components-orthophoto mapping, geographic information service and urban planning and urban renewal.
Becoming an emir
After the death of Emir Hassan Ahmed II, Alhaji Jibril was selected as the new Emir of Nasarawa Emirate by the Council’s Kingmakers and has been confirmed following the meeting of the Nasarawa State Traditional Council of Chiefs.
The Nasarawa State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Haruna Iliya Osegba said, “Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura approved the selection of Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Jibril as the new Emir of Nasarawa following the meeting of the Nasarawa state Traditional Council of Emirs and Chiefs, where the traditional Council ratified the selections that were done by the various kingmakers. That was how the teacher, administrator and lately a minister became the Emir of Nasarawa.
Family
Emir Jibril is married to two wives, Hajiya Hauwa Kulu and Hajiya Mairo and blessed with children.
