Alh. Bello Abdullahi Kabi Receives Chieftaincy Title as Sallaman of Kuje
By Genesis ogiri
ABUJA - In a ceremony steeped in cultural splendour and royal gravitas, Alhaji Bello Abdullahi Kabi was on Saturday conferred with the revered traditional title of Sallaman of Kuje. The event, held at the illustrious palace of His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr.) Haruna Tanko Jibrin, the Gomo of Kuje, drew a distinguished assembly of royal courtiers, community leaders, sons and daughters of the land, community heads, and cultural enthusiasts who gathered to witness the elevation of a respected son of the land.
The palace reverberated with chants and ululations, echoing the rich traditions of the Kuje Emirate. From the meticulous arrangement of the throne room to the ceremonial drumming that heralded the arrival of the honouree, every detail bore testimony to the enduring grandeur of the emirate’s heritage. Guests, dressed in vibrant traditional attire, joined in celebrating an occasion that intertwined honour, duty, and cultural continuity.
The palace courtyard radiated with the colours of tradition as royal guards, palace councillors, and traditional musicians set the tone for a ceremony deeply anchored in heritage. The ambience showcased the enduring prestige of the Kuje Emirate, long celebrated for its cultural authority and custodianship of history.
Upon his arrival, Alh. Bello Abdullahi Kabi was received with ceremonial honours befitting the office he was about to assume. Clad in resplendent traditional attire, he was led through the symbolic rites of presentation before taking his place before the royal throne—signifying readiness to accept the responsibilities bestowed upon him.
During the formal proceedings, the Gomo of Kuje administered the Oath of Office, invoking ancestral blessings and divine guidance over the new titleholder. The oath underscored the sacred trust placed in the Sallaman position, a role traditionally linked with stewardship, community protection, and advisory duties within the royal hierarchy.
In his royal charge, the Gomo of Kuje commended Alh. Bello Abdullahi Kabi and seven others for their longstanding service, integrity, and commitment to communal values. His Royal Highness emphasized that chieftaincy titles in Kuje are reserved for individuals who embody honour, discipline, and a genuine heart for the welfare of the people.
He further admonished the newly installed Sallaman to uphold the traditions of the emirate with dignity, to exercise wisdom in all decisions, and to demonstrate leadership excellence in engagements affecting the progress of Kuje. The monarch stressed that leadership, whether traditional or civic, demands humility, accountability, and a spirit of service.
The crowd gathered at the palace responded with admiration, acknowledging the Gomo’s message as a call to renewed communal unity. Many described the honour as a well-deserved recognition for Alh. Kabi, known widely for his humanitarian gestures and bridge-building efforts across communities within Kuje.
The Conservator-General of the National Park Service, Dr. Ibrahim Goni, who graced the ceremony, applauded the Gomo of Kuje and the Emirate Council for identifying and honouring one of the Service’s finest officers, Alh. Bello Abdullahi Kabi. He noted that the title bestowed upon Kabi was not only a recognition of his personal excellence but also a prestigious honour for the entire National Park Service. Dr. Goni described the new Sallaman as an exceptional leader whose dedication, discipline, and integrity have distinguished him within the ranks, adding that “his turbaning today has brought great honour to the National Park family and reflects the values we uphold as an institution.”
In his brief remarks, Alh. Bello Abdullahi Kabi expressed deep gratitude to the Gomo of Kuje and the revered palace council. He pledged to uphold the values of the emirate, to serve with sincerity, and to work tirelessly toward promoting peace and development across the chiefdom.
The ceremony concluded with traditional blessings, cultural performances, and a symbolic presentation marking his official assumption of duties as the Sallaman of Kuje. The conferment, many observers noted, further strengthens the traditional institution’s role in fostering leadership rooted in culture, heritage, and collective responsibility.
With this installation, Alh. Bello Abdullahi Kabi joins the league of custodians entrusted with defending ancestral honour and guiding the next generation of leaders—an appointment that cements his place in the historical narrative of the Kuje Emirate.
