Professor Tijjani Muhammad-Bande Now Baraden Besse
By Bashir Yahuza Malumfashi
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Professor Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, GCON, has been turbaned as the District Head of Besse, bearing the traditional title of Baraden Besse, by the Emir of Gwandu, His Royal Highness Major-General (rtd) Muhammad Iliyasu Bashar, CFR, mni.
The colourful turbaning ceremony, held at the Abdullahi Fodio Palace in Birnin Kebbi on Saturday, was witnessed by Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Nasiru Idris, alongside traditional rulers, senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, academics, civil society leaders and other distinguished guests.
A large delegation from the Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) also attended the ceremony.
The delegations were led by the AANI President, Ambassador Emmanuel Obi Okafor, mni and the NIPSS Director of Studies, Mrs Salma Mann, mni.
The strong representation of AANI and NIPSS reflected the esteem in which Professor Muhammad-Bande is held and the enduring institutional relationship associated with his distinguished career and leadership of the National Institute. His appointment as Baraden Besse also marks the return of a traditional title historically held by his forebears.
Professor Muhammad-Bande brings to the traditional office an extensive record of service spanning academia, strategic policy, public administration and international diplomacy. He served as Director-General of NIPSS, Kuru, from 2010 to 2016, where he provided strategic leadership to Nigeria’s premier policy and strategic studies institution.
Before becoming Director-General of NIPSS, he built a distinguished academic career at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, rising from Graduate Assistant to Professor. He subsequently served as Vice-Chancellor of the university from 2004 to 2009.
His career later extended to the international arena when he served as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. In 2019, he was elected President of the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, becoming only the second Nigerian to occupy the prestigious position.
The conferment of the Baraden Besse title therefore represents a new chapter in Professor Muhammad-Bande’s service to his ancestral community, the Gwandu Emirate and Nigeria. His wealth of experience in leadership, scholarship, diplomacy and public policy is expected to contribute to the development and progress of Besse.
AANI described the conferment as a fitting recognition of Professor Muhammad-Bande’s exceptional accomplishments, distinguished service, leadership, scholarship and commitment to national development. The Association expressed confidence that he would bring to his new responsibility the wisdom, integrity, intellectual depth and dedication to service that have characterised his career.
AANI congratulated the new Baraden Besse and wished him a successful and impactful tenure, while praying for continued wisdom, good healtumes the traditional responsibility and contributes to peace, unity and development in Besse, the Gwandu Emirate and Nigeria at large.
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