I Inherited N11,000, 5 Pieces Of Cloth From My Father — Emir Of Zazzau

The Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, has revealed that his father left him and his siblings only N11,000 and five pieces of cloth when he died.

Bamalli made the disclosure while explaining why he did not make wealth accumulation a priority despite holding senior positions in the banking sector, diplomacy and public service before becoming emir.

“My father left nothing. He left only N11,000 and five pieces of clothes behind,” the emir said.

He said his father, the late Magaji Zazzau, did not even own a personal car at the time of his death, despite having occupied prominent positions.

“The only car he had at that time belonged to Leventis Group. He was the chairman of the group. And when he passed on, they dashed it to the family,” Bamalli said.

The emir said his background influenced his own attitude towards wealth, stressing that he never saw the need to accumulate riches.

“I didn’t see any reason why I should accumulate wealth because my father left nothing,” he said.

Bamalli also rejected the suggestion that he had accumulated money to finance a campaign for the Zazzau throne.

According to him, the only substantial funds available to him at the time came from his allowances as Nigeria’s ambassador to Thailand, with concurrent accreditation to Myanmar.

“I didn’t have anything. The only money in my account was the Foreign Service allowances we were given like salaries every month; that’s all,” he said.

Asked whether he had saved money in preparation for becoming emir, Bamalli replied: “I didn’t have anything.”

He also dismissed the notion that wealth could have secured the throne, saying the emirship was not a position that could be purchased with money.

“Money cannot fetch you this position,” he said.

Bamalli, who will mark six years on the Zazzau throne in October, said he currently has only one house in Zaria and another in Abuja.

He also spoke about his approach to leadership.

He said he had sworn by the Quran to be fair and just to the people of the emirate.

“Leadership is not about accumulation, it is not about vanity or flamboyance or anything, it is about service to the people, service to humanity,” he said.

The emir said his ultimate desire was to be remembered for justice rather than material wealth.

“My prayer is to be remembered as a just leader; that’s all,” he said. (Daily trust)