Only Daura qualifies to give Hausa titles

Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk Umar, has said the emirate which dates back 6,000 years, is the only one in the country qualified to give traditional titles bearing Hausa appendages to deserving Nigerians. Umar was speaking in Daura, Katsina State, during the conferment of traditional title of Wazirin Hausa to Kwara State-born captain of industry, Yakubu Garba Gobir.

The emir said any kingdom or emirate in the country conferring such titles to Nigerians was giving out a counterfeit. He said Daurama palace, which has been standing for more than 3,600 years within his palace, attests to the ancient background of the emirate known to be the origin of Hausa kingdom.

He said traditional titles with Hausa appendages were usually given to Nigerians that have excelled in their businesses or places of work, contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of their states and country as well as promoted the religion of Islam.

Umar dismissed allegations that such titles were given to moneybags, adding that before anyone was given a title, the emirate first carries out background checks to determine recipient’s worthiness.

“Before we gave Gobir the title of Wazirin Hausa, we had to carry out our investigation for two years,” he said. “We saw that he was worthy and where he came from was part of the seven sister Hausa states. Gobir is a descendant of Wazirin Ilorin l, and we gave him the title in recognition of his effort at promoting the interest of his state of origin, Nigeria and Islam.”

A pharmacist by profession, the traditional title recipient is the owner of INVIVO, a health and beauty retail chain. Gobir is a founding member of All Progressive Congress (APC) in Kwara State.