By Mardiyyah Abubakar
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, on completing 20 years on the throne.
In a congratulatory letter personally signed by the president on Monday, Tinubu described the Sultan as a moral authority, a voice of moderation and a trusted adviser to Nigerian leaders.
The President praised the monarch for preserving the Sokoto Caliphate and promoting peace, unity and national development.
He also commended the Sultan’s contributions to religious harmony as President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Co-Chairman of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council.
Tinubu said the Sultan had consistently promoted understanding between Christians and Muslims, describing Nigeria’s religious diversity as a source of strength.
The President also highlighted the monarch’s peacebuilding efforts in northern Nigeria and the Sahel, as well as his advocacy for girl-child education, support for farmers and interventions for vulnerable Nigerians.
Tinubu expressed appreciation for the Sultan’s friendship, prayers and guidance, describing his counsel as honest, patriotic and in the country’s best interest.
He prayed for the monarch’s continued good health, long life and wisdom, expressing hope that his reign would continue to promote peace and national unity.
Sultan’s 20-Year Reign
Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III ascended the throne on November 2, 2006, following the death of his predecessor, Sultan Muhammadu Maccido, in the ADC Airlines Flight 053 crash on October 29, 2006.
Before becoming Sultan, Abubakar served in the Nigerian Army for nearly three decades, retiring as a Brigadier-General in December 2006.
Over the past two decades, he has played significant roles in peacebuilding efforts, particularly in conflicts involving farmers and herders, the Boko Haram insurgency and ethno-religious tensions across the country.
