It was a celebration of merriment, exchange of banters and fraternal greetings among friends and well-wishers as Kebbi State Government hosted the immediate past Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Dr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, CON, to a sumptuous dinner, this Sunday night, at the Presidential Lodge, Birnin Kebbi, on his successful eight year tenure as the Chief Law Officer of the land.
The Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Comrade, Dr. Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu who was the Chief Host, was accompanied to the event by his two wives, Hajiya Zainab Nasare Nasir Idris and Hajiya Nafisa Nasir Idris as well as large number of the family.
The Special Guest of Honour, the former Minister of Justice, Dr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, CON was also in company of his three wives and huge retinue of extended family members who joined him in the celebration to offer gratefulness to the Almighty God for a remarkable performance in office as a minister and smooth exit from power.
Among important personalities at the dinner party were Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Senator Umar Abubakar Tafidan Kabi, former Governor of the State, Alhaji Sa’idu Usman Nasamu Dakingari, former Deputy Governor, Hon. Muhammadu Bello Dantani, Magajin Rafin Kabi, Alhaji Abubakar Kana Zuru , State APC Chairman, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barrister Attahiru Maccido, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Yakubu Bala Tafidan Yauri and the Head of Service, Alhaji Safiyanu Garba Bena.
Also in attendance, were the Speaker, Kebbi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Muhammad Sani Abubakar Lolo, Members of the National and State Assemblies; the Director-General Nigerian Law School, Barrister Isa Hayatu, Permanent Secretaries, a visiting traditional ruler from Sokoto state, the Sarkin Sudan of Wurno, Alhaji Kabiru Chigari Alhassan, and hundreds of other guests who filled the banquet hall of the Presidential Lodge to the brim.
Dishes of different menu and assorted soft drinks were served to guests who ate and drank joyfully to capacity.
The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Yakubu Bala Tafidan Yauri, introduced the event by welcoming all invitees and prayed God for His guidance and protection to the nation’s leaders and followers.
Islamic scholars comprising of Mallam Umar Malisa, Dr. Adamu Hotoro, Engineer Ustaz Imam Imrana who represented Sheikh Abbas Jega, and Professor Mansur Ibrahim Sokoto delivered separate sermons to the gathering.
With quotation from the Glorious Qur’an and the Hadith of the Noble Prophet Muhammad, (SAW), the Islamic clerics requested all the people present to join Dr. Abubakar Malami in glorifying God for managing the affairs of the Justice Ministry with high professionalism and positive impact.
They commended Dr. Abubakar Malami, for his benevolence, philanthropy and uplifting the economic status of hundreds of people as well as providing employment opportunities to several indigenes of Kebbi state.
Likewise, former governor of the state, Alhaji Sa’idu Dakingari, the State APC Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammad Kana Zuru, and the Director-General, Nigerian Law School, Barrister Isa Hayatu remarked that the large gathering of people at the book lunch of the minister in Abuja last month and the huge number of guests at the dinner in Birnin Kebbi last night was a testimony of the kind heartedness of Dr. Abubakar Malami who has endeared himself into the hearts of the populace.
They beseeched Allah to beam Divine light on his life to sustain his charitable disposition.
On the occasion, the former Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Dr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, CON said his major preoccupation at the moment remained the glorification of God for enabling him to perform meritorious service to the nation for eight years.
Dr. Abubakar Malami thanked Governor Nasir Idris for mobilizing people to welcome him home warmly at the airport and hosting a dinner party in his honour.
Former Commissioner for Works and Transport, Alhaji Abubakar Chika Ladan presented a gift to the Minister on behalf of their extended family, saying a foundation named after their great grandfather, Arzika Wakaso has since been operational for humanitarian services.
The former Minister of Justice, Dr. Abubakar Malami, made the same gesture by presenting a gift to Governor Nasir Idris and coopting him as a member into their extended family.
Addressing the gathering, the Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris Kauran Gwandu, expressed delight that Dr. Abubakar Malami was a shining star in the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari by performing with optimal ability and professionalism, exiting government with loud applause and honour.
Governor Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, thanked the entire people of Kebbi state as well as those far and near for their support, loyalty and identifying with the ideals of his administration.