By Bashir Rabe Mani
Sokoto, the seat of the Caliphate stood still recently when the former governor of the state, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, married off ten of his sons and daughters.
On that epoch-making day , all roads led to Sokoto, destination , Sahabi Dange road, Gawon Nama , Sokoto. The venue was Senator Wamakko’s personal residence , popularly called in the Sokoto parlance as, ” Gidan Jama’a or the People’s Villa.” There was multitude of visibly elated guests, from all walls of life across varying social , economic , religious and ethnic divides , as well as from within and outside Nigeria .
The marriages were solemnized after the payments of various bride prices rangjng from N100,000, N 80,000 to N50,000, as provided for by the Islamic Sharia . The joint wedding sermon was delivered by the Sarkin Mallaman Sokoto, Mallam Yahaya Na Mallam Boyi. He was assisted by myriad of Islamic clerics, from across the state and beyond .
The newly wedded were: Faruk Aliyu Wamakko, Barrister Bello Aliyu Wamakko, Isa Aliyu Wamakko , Armiya’u Aliyu Wamakko, Sadiya Aliyu Wanakko, Saratu Aliyu Wamakko and Saudatu Aliyu Wamakko, among others .
The historic event was witneseed by a high powered Federal Government delegation led by the Minister of Justice , Abubakar Chika Malami and Police Affairs Minister, Alhaji Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi.
Other dignitaries were Senate President, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan who was represented by the Senate Leader , Dr Yahayya Abdullahi ,Sokoto State Governor , Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, former Governors of Sokoto, Kebbi , Adamawa, Gombe and Zamfara States, Mallam Yahayya Abdulkarim, Senator Adamu Aleiro, retired Admiral Murtala Nyako, Senator Danjuma Goje and Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari., respectively . Former Military Administrator of Sokoto State, retired Navy Captain Abdulrashid Adisa Raji was also in attendance.
Others were Senator Barau Jibrin , Senator( Engr.) Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir, Senator Ibrahim Abdullahi Danbaba Dambuwa. There was a high powered delegation of the Nigerien President , Muhammad Bazoum led by the Mayor of Niamey , Alhaji Abdulra’uf Dodo. This invaluable gesture exemplifies the personality of Senator Wamakko that permeates borders .
Others who graced the memorable social event were the former Deputy Governors of Sokoto State, Alhaji Ahmad Muhammad Gusau and Alhaji Chiso Abdullahi Dattijo .
Also in attendance were Senator Hassan Nasiha Gusau,Magajin Rafin Sokoto Alhaji Rilwanu Bello.The rest were : Katsina State based business mogul, Alhaji Dahiru Barau Mangal , Sokoto State , Hon. Yusuf Suleimam , Chairman , NAFDAC , members of the National and State Assemblies, among several other dignitaries .
Members of the Sokoto State House of Assembly also thronged the venue led by the Deputy Speaker , Hon. Abubakar Bodinga, as well as the APC Leader , Hon. Bello Isa Ambarura. They were also joined by their colleagues from the neighbouring Kebbi State.
Others are the former Deputy Governor of Sokoto State and the Pioneer Executive Secretary, Police Trust Fund, Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, FCNA, Chairman of APC in Sokoto State, Alhaji Isa Sadiq Achida and other leaders of the party , Ambassadors Abubakar Shehu Wurno and Sahabi Isa Gada, former Members of the State Executive Council, former Chairmen of Local Governments, as well as high powered delegations from Kebbi, Kano and Zamfara States , among others .
The country’s security service were also not left out. The Chief of Defence Staff and the Chiefs of Army Air and Naval Staff were also represented . The Royalty was represented by the Galadiman Garin Sokoto, Alhaji Aliyu Attahiru Galadanchi, Sarkin Mafara Gummi, retired Justice Hassan Lawal Gummi , other District Heads and traditional title holders , hordes of politicians , Islamic Clerics and thousands of other well wishers , among others .
It was indeed a large crowd , a sea of heads and a roll call of Who is Who in Nigeria and beyond as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence and Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Anti Corruption, the Man of the People , wedded out his ten sons and daughters. It was indeed a reveling and memorable.