To the Sultan on his 20th anniversary at the Sultanate

Twenty years ago, on November 2, 2006, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar III became the 20th Sultan of Sokoto and the spiritual leader of Muslims in Nigeria. He was not chosen for this role, but was destined for it due to his royal heritage and religious lineage, tracing back to Mujahid, a revered jihadist and revivalist from the 19th century.

Despite his noble birth, Alhaji Abubakar recognized that he needed to acquire the qualities of great leaders through real-life experiences. To achieve this, he enrolled at Barewa College and later served in various military roles, including at the Nigerian Defence Academy and as a military officer in different parts of Nigeria. His exemplary service as the head of the Presidential Security Unit and as the Nigerian Defence Attaché in several countries further solidified his reputation for dedication and excellence.

Upon retiring from the Nigerian Army as a Brigadier General, Alhaji Abubakar was well-prepared to lead the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs and Jama'atu Nasril Islam. His two decades as Sultan have been characterized by humility, courage, and a strong sense of duty, with the Sultanate embodying Islamic principles of peace, justice, brotherhood, and exceptional leadership.

In these twenty years, Alhaji Abubakar has gained the respect and admiration of the people, making him a revered figure whose identity is deeply cherished by Muslims.