By Our Staff Reporter

Vice President Kashim Shettima, Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, and prominent traditional rulers converged on Lafia Monday for the 70th birthday commemoration prayers of the Emir of Lafia, HRH Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I, CFR.

The event, held at the Late Aliyu Akwe Doma Banquet Hall, Government House, Lafia, also marked the monarch’s statutory retirement age from the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Deputy Governor Dr. Emmanuel Agbadu Akabe, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, APC 2027 gubernatorial candidate Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, members of the National and State Assemblies, and traditional rulers from Borno, Niger, Yobe, Taraba, and Benue states graced the occasion.

 Heads of federal and state agencies, members of the bench, bar, and media were also present.

As part of the celebration, VP Shettima commissioned three completed projects: the Fulafia-Gimare asphalt road, the 300m Kashim Shettima Street in Tudun Kwashe, and the Kashim Shettima Hall at the Emir’s Palace Guest House.

Describing the Emir as “a father,” Shettima lauded his decades of service in law, the judiciary, and traditional leadership.

He traced the monarch’s journey from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, to the Supreme Court, noting he brought “the discipline of the bench to the throne of Lafia.”

Shettima also praised Governor Sule for fostering stability in Nasarawa State, saying the Emir’s commitment to peace and the Governor’s drive for development “reinforce one another.”

Governor Zulum, representing the people and Emirate of Borno, described the celebrant as a man of “patience, steadfastness, integrity and contentment,” and prayed for his long reign.

Governor Sule thanked the dignitaries for honoring the occasion. He said he had “continued to learn” from the Emir’s virtues since both assumed office around the same time, and wished royal fathers safe return.

In his response, HRH Justice Sidi Bage Muhammad I expressed gratitude to God for 70 years of life and adopted all remarks made about him as true.

The gathering was described as a historic day for the Lafia Emirate, drawing dignitaries from within and outside Nasarawa State.