A former speaker of the Zamfara House of Assembly, Sanusi Rikiji, has called on the new emir of Gusau, Abdulkadir İbrahim-Bello, to promote unity, peace and stability in the emirate.

Mr Rikiji made the call when he paid a condolence visit to the emirate over the death of the late emir of the emirate, Ibrahim Bello.

The former speaker was recently appointed as director-general of the Nigerian Office for Trade Negotiations (NOTN) by President Bola Tinubu.

Mr Rikiji said that his visit was to condole with the palace over the death of the late emir and congratulate the new emir on his recent appointment.

He described the late emir as a great pillar to Gusau emirate and the entire state.

He said, “We lost a great father who always supported and encouraged us with prayers and well wishes. We pray to Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannatul Firdausi.’’

The NOTN director-general urged the new emir to emulate the leadership style of his late father.

He stated, “As new emir, you have a great role to play in uniting your subjects; you are now a father of all. You should carry everybody along, as done by your late father. I pray for your success as the new emir of Gusau.’’

In his remarks, the emir commended the former speaker for the visit.

He also expressed appreciation to the president for Mr Rikiji’s appointment as NOTN director-general.

The royal father described Mr Rikiji as a competent person with versatile knowledge and experience in the trade sector.

“We appreciate your appointment in the trade sector by the federal government. We consider it a good development in the emirate,” he said.

The emir urged the director-general to continue to be a good ambassador of the emirate.

He said, “We know your capacity; we are proud of you for having this appointment; we expect you to perform excellently. On behalf of Gusau emirate, we pray for your success; we wish you Allah’s guidance to succeed in this new assignment given to you by Mr President.’’