His Highness Alhaji Ado Bayero – LLD, CFR, JP

• Born in the royal palace of Kano on 15^th June, 1930 while his father, Alhaji Abdullahi Bayero was emir.
• Underwent Islamic education early within the confines of the palace.
• Also started formal western education within the palace at Kofar Kudu Primary School.
• Went to Kano Middle School 1942 - 1946.
• Attended School for Arabic Studies 1946 – 1947.
• Clerical College Zaria (ABU) 1952.
• Exhibited remarkable leadership qualities very early (at kindergarten level) earning him the sobriquet:

“Dan Umma dogarin ‘Yan Sarki”   or

“Son of Umma the disciplinarian of royal princes”.

• Since early childhood was adjudged to be very honest, forthright, steadfast and a disciplinarian, among peers and in his relationship with elders.  Was respectful and respectable.
• After completing school and unlike most royal princes he sought and obtained his father’s permission to work outside the Native Authority, the preserve of his forebears.
• He worked at the British Bank for West Africa (BBWA) from 1947 at a tender age of 17 years.
• This experience made him cosmopolitan in character having worked alongside not only the British but also members of other ethnic groups from Southern Nigeria like the Ibos and Yorubas.
• In 1949 after learning the art of proper book keeping he came into the mainstream of public service as a Clerk in the Kano Native Authority.
• Emir Ado Bayero went for further studies in Zaria and at the United Kingdom during his stint as the Chief Clerk of Kano N.A.
• Ado Bayero contested and won elections into the Northern Regional House of Assembly in Kaduna while working for the N.A. (1955 – 1957).
• At that time membership of the legislature was on a part-time basis.
• Parliamentarian Ado Bayero made very worthy contributions in the Regional House of Representatives Kaduna.
• As a person he believes in thorough homework and getting his facts right.

• During proceedings, Ado Bayero always articulated his position with confidence with his contributions on the floor of the House always well researched and well presented.
• He was appointed Chief of Police of the Kano Native Authority in 1956 where upon he immediately resigned membership of the Regional Assembly.
• In a letter to the President of the Legislature Ado Bayero stated that he has given up political partisanship.
• As Native Authority Police Chief – Ado Bayero initiated a new code for the force.  This ensured that:

›     The police should act and behave as friends, helpers and protectors of the people rather than as extortionists, harassers or intimidators of the citizenry.

›     The police were to be properly trained and conditioned for service.

›     Police were henceforth to cultivate the friendship and trust of the people.

›     Police should be independent, in the discharge of their duties, so as not to be used as tools to harass and intimidate citizens to settle political scores.

›     Police was disciplined and living above board.

• This non-partisan posture as being championed by Police Chief Ado Bayero made the NPC leadership uncomfortable.
• The measure however endeared the N.A. Police and its new leadership to the massive followers of opposition Party – the NEPU.
• Police Chief Ado Bayero’s stewardship came in the midst of a very difficult period characterized by intense political pressure due to reawakening.

• What Police Chief Ado Bayero did was to ensure that nobody was punished or penalized without a just cause.
• This was a novelty since at that time police was used to favour the powers that be.
• Late 1962 saw the appointment of Ado Bayero as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Senegal.
• At the inception of his duty tour, Ambassador Ado Bayero championed three things:

›     Discipline at the Chancery - without which, he believed, no success would be achieved in any venture.  Staff were also reconditioned to see themselves as members of one family.

›     Cultivating good friendship with the Head of the host country. This   strengthened Nigeria-Senegal relationship to good effect.

›     The Ambassador developed keen interest to learn the French Language to enable him operate without need for an interpreter.

• Indeed Ado Bayero’s diplomatic skills were called into service during the difficult civil war years – after he became emir – and such skills were utilized to worthy and beneficial cause.