By Gbolahan Salman
The organising committee for the turbaning of the new Dallatun Sokoto and Dan Masanin Sokoto has unveiled a three-day programme of activities to mark the historic ceremony.
The activities, scheduled for October 30 to November 1, 2026, will feature Islamic preaching sessions, a dinner, traditional durbar, reception and a special celebration marking the 20th anniversary of Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III on the throne of the Sokoto Caliphate.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, the Chairman of the Media and Publicity Sub-Committee, Bashar Ummarun Kwabo, who is also the Sokoto State Commissioner for Innovation and Digital Economy, said the programme commenced with an Islamic preaching session at Abu Huraira Mosque, Polo Club area, Sokoto.
He said 11 renowned Islamic scholars from across the country had been invited to deliver lectures, including Sheikh Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, Prof. Mansur Ibrahim Sokoto, Prof. Abdullahi Usman Gadon Kaya and Prof. Abdullahi Ismail Kaba.
Kwabo said the main turbaning ceremony would take place on Sunday, November 1, between 11am and 11:30am at the Sultanate Council.
The two personalities to receive the traditional titles are Alhaji Murtala Muhammad Dan Iya, a businessman and philanthropist, who will be turbaned as the new Dallatun Sokoto, and Prof. Mansur Ibrahim, a lecturer at Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, and Chief Imam of Abu Huraira Jumaat Mosque, who will receive the title of Dan Masanin Sokoto.
According to the programme, the turbaning will be followed by a traditional durbar featuring horse riding from the Sultanate Council to Hubbaren Shehu and Gidan Haki roundabout between 11:30am and 12:30pm. The celebrants will thereafter visit their relatives to receive blessings before proceeding to the residence of Alhaji Dr Umarun Kwabo for a reception scheduled for 12:30pm.
Another traditional activity, known as Bukin Aski, involving the shaving of the celebrants’ heads, will take place between 4pm and 6pm on Sunday.
The committee also scheduled a dinner for Saturday, October 31, between 8pm and 10pm at a venue near Abu Huraira Mosque. A second Islamic preaching session will also hold at the mosque on Sunday night from 8pm, featuring scholars who could not deliver their lectures during Friday’s session.
Kwabo said the celebrations would climax with activities marking the 20th anniversary of Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III as the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs.
He expressed appreciation to the Sultan for sustaining the cultural and traditional heritage of the Sokoto Caliphate through the conferment of the titles on the two recipients. He also commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for supporting peaceful coexistence and the preservation of the state’s cultural heritage, while acknowledging the contributions of APC leader and former governor, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko.
The commissioner further appreciated Alhaji Dr Umarun Kwabo for his leadership and support for the celebrants. He assured residents, invited guests and other participants that adequate arrangements had been made to ensure security, comfort and the smooth conduct of all activities throughout the three-day celebration.
