The emergence of Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli as the 19th Fulani Emir of Zazzau did not come to many as a surprise as he was believed to be the choice of Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai right from the start.
Indeed, many believe the recommendations of the Zazzau kingmakers were jettisoned for leaving out the then Magajin Gari from the three names forwarded to the governor to decide.
The kingmakers had recommended Iyan Zazzau Bashar Aminu, Yariman Zazzau Munir Jaafaru and Turakin Zazzau Aminu Shehu Idris.
Who is Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli?
Many have been asking about the new monarch since his name appeared among those interested in the ancient Zazzau throne.
Below is excerpts of an interview the former ambassador granted to Maxmilian Wechsler of the BigChilli, a publisher of lifestyle, business and educational magazines in Thailand, where Ambassador Bamalli, whose wife is a daughter of the late emir of Zazzau Alhaji Shehu Idris, speaks about his roots and more.
“It (Zazzau) is an emirate, founded by my great-grandfather around 1804. Prior to that, it was a part of various kingdoms and settlements. But from 1804 there has been an emirate system operating in the whole of northern Nigeria, and it is still in place today.
“My late father, H.E. Nuhu Bamalli, held the princely title of Magajin Garin Zazzau. In the English translation it is much like lord mayor. The title is given to the second most senior royal family member in the Zaria emirate.
“On October 1, 1960, Nigeria became an independent state. My father was an important figure in the struggle for independence. He was appointed a junior minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in 1960 and in 1965 became the Foreign Minister. In fact he addressed the UN General Assembly in New York that same year.
“After his passing in 2001 at the age of 84, I took over the Magajin Garin Zazzau title. However, since I am still pursuing my career I don’t stay in the emirate to oversee a district like most of the title holders. Therefore, I only retain the title and then advice the emir from time to time when the need arises. The emir assigns some responsibilities to me, especially representation in functions that he is not personally attending.
“I took my primary and secondary education in Kaduna city and then went to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria to study law. That’s my first degree; I also have a Master’s degree in international affairs and diplomacy, and I’ve taken courses at a number of educational institutes at home and abroad, mostly for short programs on leadership. I attended Harvard and Oxford universities as well as Northwestern University in Chicago and the University of Pennsylvania.
“Most of my professional life has been in the banking sector, even though I studied law and international relations. From conventional banking I moved to Nigerian Security Printing and Minting, which produces our currency as well as security papers for the Nigerian government. I held two positions there: executive director of corporate services and general administration, and subsequently, managing director on the board of directors, where I served for almost two years.
“After leaving the minting company, I went back to Oxford University to study. I was at the university when the present government invited me to be a part of the transitional committee in Kaduna State.
“After the transition period I was appointed to the Electoral Commission in my state, and a few months down the line I was nominated by President Muhammadu Buhari to be Ambassador to Thailand. So as you can see, I came to diplomatic service in a roundabout way.
“I joined the Nigerian foreign ministry in late 2016. This is the ministry where my late father and other top pioneer diplomats laid the foundation of foreign service in Nigeria. I accepted because I’ve always felt a connection with foreign services, and with my family and educational background I’ve found it very easy to adjust to this position.
“My younger brother is a career diplomat. He is currently an assistant director at the MFA’s Trade and Investment Department. He has served in Ireland and Ghana and is now back in Abuja (Nigeria’s capital), waiting for another posting.
“I arrived in Thailand for the first time in November 2017, when I took my ambassadorial post. My first Asian trip was to Malaysia. My term is four years, which can be extended depending on the wishes of the government. I also cover Myanmar, where there is a large Nigerian community,” Mr Bamalli said.
“In closing Mr Bamalli said: “I am happily married to Mairo A. Bamalli, and we are blessed with five children, one boy and four girls”
