Ibrahim Musa Tumsah: Celebrated abroad, loved at home, by Abdulrazaq Magaji
All roads lead to Yobe State early next month as the ancient town of Gashua hosts Nigeria’s crème-de-la-crème to witness the investiture of Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Tumsah, as the first Danmaje of Bade Kingdom. The installation, at the behest of Mai (Emir of) Bade, Alhaji (Dr) Abubakar Umar Suleiman, OFR, is in recognition of the unparalleled contribution of the recipient to the growth of Bade Emirate, Yobe State and Nigeria. The installation is the high point of the 20th anniversary of the ascension of Alhaji Umar Suleiman as Mai Bade.
Ibrahim Musa Tumsah takes charge as Danmajen Bade at a critical period in the nation’s history. Since the return to democratic rule in 1999, there has been an upsurge in agitations for constitutional role for traditional institutions. As a result of the agitations, traditional institutions across the country have continued to attract the exceptional individuals who have distinguished themselves in their callings as a way of repositioning for greater roles in the governance of the country. The conferment of the title of Danmajen Bade on Ibrahim Musa Tumsa is in the spirit of seeking exceptional and distinguished individuals to reposition Bade Emirate Council for greater roles.
There is every reason to believe that His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Suleiman and the Bade Emirate Council consulted widely before conferring the title of Danmaje on Alhaji Ibrahim Musa. If proof for this was needed, it was the carnival atmosphere that gripped the Gashua when, last September, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa led a strong delegation of friends and well-wishers to thank Mai Bade, Alhaji Umar Suleiman, for conferring the traditional title on him. The warm reception accorded the delegation hallmarks the goodwill Alhaji Ibrahim Musa enjoys and the importance the people of Bade Emirate attach to the title of Danmajen Bade.
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On the occasion, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa told the multitude that thronged the palace of Mai Bade that the honour bestowed on him will further spur him to give his best to the people of Bade Emirate, Yobe State and Nigeria. Mai Bade acknowledged the tenacity of purpose of Ibrahim Musa Tumsah whom he said has distinguished himself as a worthy son of Yobe State and one of state’s foremost ambassadors.
Perhaps, Ibrahim Musa Tumsah, a seasoned administrator and a guiding light in the world of business and industry wins our hearts with his unparalleled contribution to the improvement of Bade Emirate and Yobe State. Or, maybe he has won our hearts by being a self-made individual whose contribution to the empowerment of disadvantaged individuals and communities in the Emirate and across the state knows no bound. Maybe the incoming Danmajen Bade surprises us by his unpretentious humility and down-to-earth lifestyle.
Better still, maybe the seasoned accountant, financial analyst, farmer and field worker par excellence dazzles us with his down-to-earth approach to issues and extraordinary warmth which endears him to the heart of the high and low. Whatever it is, Ibrahim Musa Tumsah has earned accolades for making immense investment in human development to have justified his being conferred with the traditional title of Danmaje.
In Bade Emirate, as in other parts of Northern Nigeria, the title of Danmaje is a prestigious traditional title conferred by Mai Bade who is the authority who bestows traditional titles on exceptional, hardworking and courageous individuals. The conferment of the prestigious title recognizes outstanding service, integrity, and contributions to the community, the state and the nation. By his antecedents, it is not surprising that Mai Bade, Alhaji Umar Suleiman, and the Bade Emirate Council considered Ibrahim Musa Tumsah worthy of being bestowed with the title of Danmaje.
Born in April, 1960, in Bursari Local Government Area of Yobe State, Ibrahim Musa Tumsah holds a Bachelor of Accounting degree from the University of Maiduguri, now Muhammadu Buhari University. He is a Certified Public Accountant of Nigeria, CPAN, as well as a Fellow of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria, ANAN. He began his career in the civil service of old Borno State before crossing to Yobe State upon its creation where he rose to the position of Deputy Accountant General before transferring his services to the federal civil service in 1995, In the Federal Civil Service where he distinguished himself, Ibrahim Musa Tumsah became Deputy Director in 2004 and, four years later, he was appointed as Director and posted to the Federal Ministry of Works.
While in the service of the federation, he served diligently in key capacities in various federal ministries, departments and agencies, among them, the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Ministry of Internal Affairs, The Presidency, Ministry of Police Affairs, and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation. For Ibrahim Musa Tumsah, the conferment of the traditional title of Danmaje of Bade Emirate is an icing on the cake for a man whose life has been one of diligence, dedication and service to God and humanity.
Upon exiting the federal service, Ibrahim Musa dabbled into business and industry, a natural habitat of sort, where he has continued to make waves and win accolades and awards for his acumen, both at the national and international levels. As the pioneer Danmajen Bade, he is finally getting local recognition from an appreciative community in recognition of his immense contribution to community and the nation.
Like other Nigerian tribes, the Bade people of Yobe State trace their history to oral sources and a few written documents. With their headquarters in Gashua, the Bade people have a long, interesting and proud history. Oral tradition has it that the Bade people migrated from the East, with two main theories suggesting an origin in Saudi Arabia or the Kanem-Borno region of Africa around 1300 AD. One of the theories posits that Bade is a corruption of Badr in Arabia. After migrating westward, the Bade people settled along the Kumadugu Yobe River and established their kingdom with its first capital at Gogaram, eventually establishing their emirate with Gashua as its modern headquarters.
In 1808 the Bade, then subject to the Bornu Empire, were attacked by Fulani jihad warriors, who were expanding their control across Northern Nigeria. The emirate became independent in 1818 when Mai Lawan Babuje detached the Emirate from the Kanuri of Borno and fortified Gorgorum as the capital of an independent state. The state remained independent until the end of the century, when it fell to the Sudanese warrior Rabih az-Zubayr. Following Rabih’s death, in 1902 the British confirmed the independence of the Emirate. The Bade people are known for their organized and structured communities, strong administrative hierarchy and enviable cultural practices. Overtime, their history has been shaped by interactions with neighboring groups, and later, the British colonists.
Farming and fishing play important role in the socioeconomic life of the people of Bade Emirate. In fact, the Emirate is known for an international fishing and cultural festival which began in 1938 during the reign of Mai Aji, For its potentials, the incoming Danmajen Bade has assured of pulling resources with like minds to upgrade the fishing and cultural festival as an additional way of creating jobs and wealth for the people and as a means of revenue generation for the Emirate and the state.
In Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Tumsah, the saying that forbearance has a price comes alive,. For this, he has every reason to radiate joy and demonstrate inner confidence. From a distinguished career in the state and federal civil services to boardrooms, coupled with several accomplishments on the national and international scenes, Ibrahim Musa Tumsah has the wealth of experience to help him in executing the office of a prominent adviser to the traditional head of Bade Emirate.
Next month, the appreciative people of Bade Emirate will attest to his being one Nigerian who is not only celebrated abroad but loved at home.
Magaji writes from Abuja. He can be reached via email: (magaji778@gmail.com)
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