By Yarima Haruna, Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has joined Nigerians across the country in celebrating the 70th birthday of the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.
The Sultan marked the milestone on August 24, 2026, with congratulatory messages from political leaders, religious organisations and groups across the country. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu described the monarch as a stabilising voice, a bridge-builder across faiths and communities, and a moral compass whose influence has extended beyond religious leadership.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Kebbi State NUT Chairman, Comrade Zaki Sarki (SK), described the Sultan as a “detribalised Islamic leader,” bridge-builder and unifier whose fatherly counsel has contributed to peaceful coexistence among Nigerians of different religious and ethnic backgrounds.
According to Sarki, the Sultan’s leadership qualities have distinguished him among traditional rulers in Nigeria, particularly his willingness to speak truth to power and advocate for the welfare of Nigerians irrespective of their ethnic, religious or regional backgrounds.
The NUT chairman said the union considered the Sultan’s 70th birthday an opportunity to celebrate not only his longevity but also his decades of service to Islam, traditional leadership and the Nigerian nation.
READ RELATED NEWS
Yari’s Campaign DG Appointment boost to Tinubu’s election victory ; Kebbi Apc chieftain
Kebbi govt to establish forest reserve for traditional medicine
Why the Sultan of Sokoto remains one of Nigeria’s most influential figures
“We celebrate him as he turned a new leaf in his blessed life. We pray to Allah to strengthen his faith and give him the wisdom to always hold our leaders accountable. We at NUT are pleased with his nationalist behaviour,” Sarki said.
The union further praised the Sultan for what it described as his consistent efforts to promote peace, dialogue and national cohesion at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with ethnic, religious and social divisions.
The Sultan, who has spent nearly two decades on the throne, has repeatedly been recognised for his interventions on national issues and his advocacy for peaceful coexistence. President Tinubu, in his birthday message, also commended him for promoting interfaith dialogue, education, humanitarian service and the dignity of Nigerians.
The recognition has not been limited to Muslim groups. The Northern Christian Religious Leaders Assembly (NOCRELA), in a separate message marking the Sultan’s 70th birthday, described him as an indispensable bridge-builder and a voice for peace whose leadership continues to unite people across ethnic and religious divides.
Similarly, the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) described the Sultan as a statesman and traditional leader distinguished by wisdom, humility, patriotism and commitment to peace and national development.
The Kebbi NUT also commended Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar for recognising what it described as the developmental efforts of the Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris.
Sarki said the Sultan had demonstrated fairness by identifying with positive developments and achievements by Nigerians irrespective of the region from which they originated.
Governor Nasir Idris, who assumed office as Kebbi State governor on May 29, 2023, has made infrastructure, agriculture, education, healthcare and economic development some of the major areas of focus of his administration. The Kebbi State Government says several road, bridge, drainage and public infrastructure projects have been undertaken across the state since the administration came into office.
The NUT’s commendation of the Sultan comes against the backdrop of growing calls for traditional and religious leaders to contribute more actively to national unity, peaceful coexistence and accountability.
For the teachers’ union, the Sultan’s ability to maintain relationships across religious and ethnic boundaries makes his leadership particularly significant in Nigeria, a country of diverse cultures and faiths.
Sarki therefore prayed for continued good health, wisdom and strength for the Sultan, urging him to sustain his contributions to peace, unity and national development.
The NUT chairman also expressed confidence that the Sultan would continue to use his position to encourage Nigerian leaders to prioritise the welfare of citizens and pursue policies capable of improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
As celebrations continue across the country, the 70th birthday of Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar III has become more than a royal milestone, with tributes highlighting his military background, traditional leadership, religious influence and role in Nigeria’s national dialogue.
Several leaders have emphasised that his greatest legacy remains his advocacy for peace and his efforts to build bridges across Nigeria’s religious, ethnic and regional divides.
The Kebbi State NUT, while congratulating the Sultan once again, prayed that Allah would grant him many more years in good health and enable him to continue serving as a voice for peace, unity, accountability and the welfare of Nigerians.
