Etsu Nupe: A Gallant Coronation Ceremony

Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar, will be 20 years on the throne this September and his people are rolling out the carpets to celebrate him. This former Army General is so loved by his people that they are not leaving any stone unturned to give him a befitting coronation anniversary.

They have even gone ahead to ask me to produce a befitting coronation play for him. I have accepted and have contracted the great Prof. Ahmed Yerima to write and direct.

I once met the influential ruler at the Lagos Intercontinental Hotel and thought he was the Sultan of Sokoto. You know in my illiterate eyes, they all look alike in their robes.  I walked up to his people and asked if I could approach, they said sure. Ahhhhh a whole Sultan and they allowed me get close just like that? That was how I had a good 20 minutes discussion with the highly respected ruler thinking I was speaking with the Sultan of Sokoto. We talked everything o, from leadership to Islam.

I learnt a lot from him that day and could have hugged him if the huge robes and his “dogaris” would have allowed.

Anyway, as I walked towards the great Captain Isah, the famous Prince from Kano and well known pilot, I mentioned to him that, “Captain, I just had a wonderful discussion with His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto.” Captain laughed and said, “Duke, you no get sense, that is Etsu Nupe.” Aghhh, I open mouth and beg am not to tell anybody o. You too reading this column, don’t mention to anybody that I had mistaken him for the Sultan of Sokoto before he cancelled my contract.

Happy coronation anniversary my Etsu of NUPE and may you live far longer than your enemies wish in good health and in peace. Would you mind a plate of Afang? I can bring it when next I am in Bida. Kai!