A Monarch Among Monarchs: Mai Kanuribe of Lagos Rolls Out the Royal Carpet for the Shehu of Borno

…………The Shehu is a rare statesman, rooted in tradition, yet deeply responsive to the complexities of modern governance

By Comrade Zannah Ibrahim Mustapha
Founder And Editor -In-Chief
Kanempress News
13th October 2025

In a majestic convergence of culture, tradition, and national dialogue, the ancient city of Borno met the cosmopolitan spirit of Lagos yesterday night, as His Eminence, Alhaji Dr. Abubakar Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, CFR, the revered Shehu of Borno, arrived in Lagos to participate in the high-level National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) under His Eminence, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, Sultan of Sokoto and co-chaired by His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, CFR, Ooni of Ife.

National Executive Committee Meeting Tagged Lagos 2025. With the Theme of the meeting is The Traditional Institutions: The imperative of it’s inclusion in the effective and Efficient Governance in Nigeria.

But this visit was more than ceremonial—it was historical.

Welcoming His Eminence with regal honour and deep-rooted cultural dignity was His Highness Alhaji Mai Mele Abatcha, the Mai Kanuribe of Lagos, who doubles as the Sarkin Hausawa of Ijora Land and Iganmu Kingdom. Flanked by an impressive delegation of traditional leaders and statesmen from the Kanuri and Shuwa Arab communities, the Mai Kanuribe’s entourage underscored the deep respect and symbolic weight this visit carried.

“Lagos is honoured beyond words to host one of the most revered monarchs in Africa. The Shehu of Borno is not just a royal figure; he is a guardian of peace, a champion of peace and tolerance, and a voice of wisdom in times of uncertainty,” declared the Mai Kanuribe of Lagos during a brief address at the welcome ceremony.

A Legacy of Peace in a Time of Division

The Shehu of Borno’s presence at the national gathering is not merely symbolic—it is catalytic. In an era where ethnic and religious tensions threaten national cohesion, His Eminence has emerged as a towering figure of moral clarity and cultural diplomacy. From the Sahel to the Atlantic, his leadership is revered not only for its historical continuity but also for its modern relevance.

Under his reign, the Borno Emirate has continued to serve as a beacon of resilience, healing, and cultural pride in a region historically tested by insurgency. His unrelenting efforts toward peacebuilding, youth engagement, and interfaith dialogue have earned him not only national respect but international admiration.

The grand entourage of Shehu of Borno includes the following, Dignitaries: Mallam Terab Kyari Sanda (also known as Mallam Terab of Borno), Abba Masta Abba Yusuf Ibrahim Wadaima, Zanna Laisu Kazalma – Secretary, Borno Emirate Council, Abba Yusuf Shehu Abubakar – Village Head, Old Maiduguri (Ward C), Kachalla Aji Bazam, Zanna Suntalma of Borno

While A Grand Entourage Reflecting Cultural Unity

The welcome delegation led by the permanent representative of Shehu of Borno, Mai Kanuribe of Lagos was a magnificent display of northern heritage and community solidarity in the southern capital. Among the dignitaries in the Mai Kanuribe’s royal entourage were:

Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim Ngoma, the Waziri of Mai Kanuribe of Lagos

Alhaji Umar Muhammad, the Sultan of Shuwa Arab

Alhaji Usman Tada, Chief of Staff to Mai Kanuribe of Lagos

Zannah Alhaji Ali Kime, Senior Council Member

Zannah Ibrahim Mustapha, Secretary to the Mai Kanuribe of Lagos

Alhaji Audu Bama, Chairman, Forum of Aja

Aja Alh Umoru Maina Forfor, Aja of Festac

Alhaji Abubakar Umoru, Aja of Victoria Island.

Also in attendance were top traditional and community leaders from the Council of Mai Kanuribe of Lagos and the Shuwa Arab Council, along with executive members of the Kufutilo Kanuribe Development Association, Lagos Chapter, a socio-cultural organisation committed to preserving the rich heritage of Kanem-Bornu in the diaspora.

Together, this ensemble formed a colourful tapestry of tradition and modernity, proof that the roots of northern identity remain deeply planted even amidst the concrete towers of Lagos.

A Nation Listening

As deliberations at the NIREC summit unfold, the presence of the Shehu of Borno is not just influential—it is pivotal. His voice, shaped by centuries of royal wisdom and contemporary insight, brings balance to conversations around religious harmony, national unity, and grassroots engagement.

His Eminence’s visit is a reminder that Nigeria’s strength lies not in the silencing of differences, but in the respectful convergence of them.

Finally,

As Lagos embraces this rare royal visit, the message is clear: peace is not a passive condition, it is an active responsibility. And few embody that responsibility as powerfully and as gracefully as His Eminence, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Dr. Abubakar Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, CFR. And from the streets of Ijora to the shores of Baga, from ancient Maiduguri to the beating heart of Lagos, Nigeria listens.