For the first time in Adamawa’s history, His Royal Highness, Lamido Adamawa, Dr. Barkindo Musdafa has conferred the traditional title of Kakaki Adamawa 1 on a deserving son of the soil, Dr. Abubakar Abba Tahir.
The Kakaki will serve at the pleasure of the Lamido as the official spokesman for the Fombina Emirate. The Adamawa Emirate Council conveyed Governor Ahmadu Fintiri's approval of the new appointment in an official letter on Monday, 7th December 2020. Dr. Tahir expressed his joy at such a dignified privilege.
“For considering me worthy of holding this strategic portfolio, I can hardly quantify or qualify my excitement and appreciation and that of my family, friends, colleagues, and associates. And for conferring such a priceless public recognition on me, despite the prevalence of many other qualified candidates, my gratitude to the 12th Lamido Fombina remains immeasurable. Therefore, I am immensely thankful to the royal father for lifting me into such a highly honorable public portfolio. As much as I consider the position of Kakaki as priceless, my gratitude to the Lamido’s trademark generosity for the appointment remains timeless.” He said.
Dr. Tahir is the Vice President for University Relations (VPUR) at the American University of Nigeria (AUN). As VPUR, he led many community engagement initiatives to foster relations between AUN and the Adamawa host community. Omorogbe Omoroguiwa who has worked closely with Dr. Tahir remains in awe of his vested interest in adding value to his homeland.
“Dr. Tahir’s passion for societal development is one that is worth being mentioned. During my 15 years of knowing him, I have observed him to be someone who is always willing to use his knowledge and skills to serve his community in particular and humanity in general. His regular feature as a guest presenter in a volunteer capacity in the API/Gotel TV Peacemakers program is one evidence of this societal contribution.” Said Mr. Omorogbe.
Before his leadership role at AUN, Dr. Tahir enjoyed a distinguished media career rising through the ranks from a reporter, to television broadcaster, a brief stint as a newspaper journalist in Lagos, and later joining radio broadcasting. His good works earned him recognition which led to his appointment as General Manager of Adamawa Broadcasting Corporation Yola in 1999.
Having served as Chief Executive Officer of a government parastatal, he brought to bear his experiences from government and journalistic practice to the classroom as Adjunct Professor of Communications in AUN. One of his many students, Obinna Iroakasi found his characteristic demeanor endearing.
“Prof was a very calm and collected teacher, he never lashed out at any of us for making a mistake instead he would encourage us, he always spoke fluently and audibly, you never heard anyone say pardon, he deserves all accolades. Said Communications and Multimedia Design student Obinna.
His passion for the younger generation led him to establish the Konngol Silvertongue Media and Language Institute. The institute has offered scholarships and free training to many youth in Adamawa State and beyond. Dr. Tahir promises to bring that same level of commitment to his new role as KakaKi Adamawa.
“ I pledge to dutifully serve the purpose of this recognition. I have taken the mantle and mandate to serve as the spokesman for our people and will dedicate my time, my energy, and my experience to defending and promoting the values, traditions, and culture of the people of Fombina at all times. In this direction, I will work hard to engage other critical stakeholders, to secure the guidance and direction in defining and designing appropriate strategies and plans to reposition the PR and communication infrastructure in the Emirate into a more proactive, productive, and sustainable system, to keep it in tune with the changing dynamics of today to serve the people better.”
Indeed Dr. Tahir has always been a man of the people. Mr. Omorogbe remembers vividly his amicable working relationship and experiences despite their differences in ethnicity and faith.
“Since 2011 when I was recruited to work with him, I have noticed that he is a very unassuming person and genuinely has the interest of his staff at heart, motivating and encouraging them to be successful not just in the workplace but on a personal level. For example, he encouraged me to acquire land from the AUN Community Cooperative Society. As a down to earth person, he has inspired me a lot, and never ceases to give advice even when not sought.” Said Mr. Omorogbe
Speaking of the prospects for the traditional monarchy in Adamawa, Dr. Tahir has high hopes for a modern outlook which he hopes to achieve by leveraging new technologies.
“In this new position, I plan to take the necessary steps and deploy the required strategies to initiate all the needed processes and plans to re-order the PR and protocol infrastructure by deploying the required tools, techniques, and technology for modernizing the flow of communication within and outside the historic Modibbo Adama Courtyard. All necessary facilities, equipment, and personnel that are required for repositioning the information machinery in the Emirate will be deployed. I pledge to restructure and reposition the Public Relations and Communication apparatus at the Adamawa Emirate Council for the common good. As the new Spokesman of the Emirate who would take responsibility for overall visibility, my era will witness proper planning, storage, organization, documentation, and utilization of all facilities, equipment, activities, programs, events, and ceremonies at the council, by creating a workable apparatus for sustainable success. To achieve this important and strategic dream, I seek the support of everyone within and outside the Emirate to enable all our repositioning plans to succeed.
Dr. Tahir has his heart set on revamping the image of the Emirate Council by striking a delicate balance between time-honored traditions and innovations which he believes are crucial for the traditional institution’s continued success.
“I am not unaware that this new role comes with high public expectations. In meeting this tall mark, I will work hard to recreate a befitting identity, which will symbolize the functions and responsibilities of the office of Spokesman for the historic Adamawa Emirate. Part of the PR strategies and plans I hope to focus upon will include institutional image rebranding to align with both tradition and modernity. I will lead the process of re-creating a functional website to showcase the values and virtues of the Emirate before the world. A variety of visibility materials and tools will be developed and appropriately deployed to enhance publicity; and entrench a defined PR Roadmap, which will include training and reorienting the necessary personnel, to meet the daily changing needs of the Emirate Council.”
The President of the American University of Nigeria and the entire AUN community are grateful to the Lamido for this great honor. The conferral of the traditional title of Kakaki Adamawa on a member of AUN’s top administration mirrors AUN’s commitment to improving her host community and strengthens the familial bond between AUN and Adamawa State. The date for the official Turbaning ceremony with the customary pomp and pageantry will be announced in due course.
Reported by the Office of Communications