Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu-Bashar, Emir of Gwandu in Kebbi State, on Sunday sought for forgiveness from all, as he had forgiven all those who might have offended him knowingly or unknowingly.
The Emir, who is the Chairman, Kebbi State Council of Chiefs, made the plea during a special prayer to mark his 17 years anniversary on throne at Abdullahi Fodio Palace in Birnin Kebbi, the state capital.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the prayer session drew Islamic clerics from all sects across the state.
The octogenarian said: “I want to appeal for forgiveness from all, whoever feels that I offended him/her should forgive me and whoever knew that I ‘ve done something good to him/her should give glory to God Almighty. I remember that was my last speech to Adamawa people while leaving there as military governor.”
Iliyasu-Bashar used the medium to thank Almighty God for keeping him healthy to achieve serries of successes in life, while thanking his parents for their efforts to rear him to become useful to the society.
He described leadership as a burden that must be taken with special interest and fear of God Almighty.
The emir urged leaders to reflect back, to borrow a leaf from good leadership style of the past towards building a bright future.
In his speech, the Chairman of the occasion and Emir of Yauri, Dr Muhammadu Zayyanu-Abdullahi, lauded the sterling leadership qualities of the Emir which according to him, centred on peace.
He advised leaders at all levels to be just in dealing with those they lead, to be able to achieve greater success.
In their separate remarks, the Commissioners for Works and Housing and that of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Abubakar Chika-Ladan and Alhaji Hassan Muhammad-Shalla, commended the unique leadership qualities of the Emir.
They thanked the Emir for organising a weekly special prayer in search of peace, apart from extending useful advices to those in position of authority.
They described him as a true father who always advised his subjects on the need to ensure proper upbringing of their children towards building a sound and virile society.
