The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, has turbaned Alhaji Abdulqadir Bello-Jeli as the Sarkin Fulotin Sokoto in recognition of his contributions to the country.
The ceremony took place on Sunday, with 12 other prominent individuals also receiving traditional titles.
During the event, the Sultan described Bello-Jeli as a practical and hardworking person who had made significant contributions to Sokoto State and Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the Sarkin Fulotin is responsible for overseeing the allocation of land and ensuring the fair distribution of food and cattle.
The title holder also supervises the sharing of resources among members of the community during periods of plenty and scarcity to ensure fairness.
Bello-Jeli, who is a descendant of Sarkin Sudan Muhammadu Bello, was born on July 13, 1962. He attended Mu’azu Sarkin Sudan Primary School in Wurno Local Government Area and Federal Government College, Jos, before obtaining a degree in Accounting from Bayero University, Kano.
He is a Chartered Accountant who has worked with several organisations, including Deloitte, Adetona, Isichei & Co. and the United Bank for Africa, UBA.
In his response, Bello-Jeli thanked the Sultan for the honour, saying the recognition would encourage him to continue his humanitarian activities in Sokoto State and across the country.
He also described traditional institutions as important pillars of peaceful coexistence and called on Nigerians to support them.
Other recipients of traditional titles included Alhaji Murtala Abdulkadir-Dan’Iya, who was turbaned as Dallatun Sokoto; Alhaji Shehu Abubakar as Fagacin Sokoto; Alhaji Abubakar Hussain as Sarkin Bai; Alhaji Aminu Isa-Buhari as Danmalikin Sokoto; and Professor Mansur Ibrahim as Danmasanin Sokoto.
Others were Professor Ishaq Oloyede, who received the title of Kuliyan Sokoto; Dr Peter Igoh as Kakakin Daular Usmaniya; lawmaker Almustapha Rabah as Bauran Sokoto; Abubakar Sadiq as Sarkin Dawaki Tsakar Gida; Dr Balarabe Kakale as Wakilin Makarantar Daular Usmaniya; Alhaji Bello Abbas as Wakilin Tarihin Daular Usmaniya; and Alhaji Gandi Umar as Sarkin Galmar Sarkin Musulmi.
The ceremony featured presentations of the biographies of the title holders and attracted notable guests from Nigeria and beyond.