Usman Bilyaminu Othman: The Great Emir of Dass

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By ISIYAKU GARBA
“Excellence is not accomplishment. It is a spirit, a never ending process.” Lawrence M. Miller
Since the time he assumed the throne as the 8th Emir of Dass after the demise of his father, Alhaji Usman Bilyamiu Othman has continued to consolidate the legacies bequeathed by his late father. This young but promising monarch has been piloting the affairs of Dass Emirate Council to the satisfaction of all and sundry. On 11th April, 2010, Dass Emirate Council stood still in honour of the new emir. The historical emirate was agog with dignitaries who came from far and near to witness the presentation of staffs and oath of office to the new emir by Governor Isah Yuguda of Bauchi State. Among the dignitaries were former governor of Nasarawa, Aliyu Akwe Doma, the late Abubakar Rimi, former Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Yakubu Lamai, to mention but a few. During the period many people expressed their view that the new emir would follow in the footsteps of his great late father. Of course, within the period under focus, Dass emirate council has recorded significant development under the dynamic leadership of his royal highness, Alhaji Bilyaminu Othman.
Like Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar, who were both described as some of the great leaders that ever lived in this world, Alhaji Bilyaminu Usman has carved a niche for himself and patterned his leadership style along these great world leaders. The ever smiling emir is imbued with leadership trait such as wisdom, patience, knowledge, justice, experience, foresight, charisma, accessibility and, above all, compassion. His pragmatic approach to the problems of his people indicated the emergence of a great leader who always stands by his subjects. It was in recognition of his versatility and contribution to the development of Dass emirate council that the administration of Malam Isa Yuguda appointed him as chairman Committee on Polio Eradication in Bauchi State. The committee is saddled with responsibilities of ensuring proper enlightenment and success of the exercise.
Indeed, without mincing words, the polio eradication programme in Bauchi has become a success story. The cases of rejection, traditional and religious apathy that surrounded the exercise have been nipped in the bud. Thanks to the active support of Bauchi State Government and other traditional leaders. Of equal mention is the dogged commitment of his royal highness, Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu Othman. That is why some international agencies could not hesitate to appreciate and laud the effort of the emir for the overall success of the polio exercise. This is another feather added to his cap. Dass emirate council, in spite of its diverse ethnic and religious composition, has remained peaceful. This could not be unconnected with the purposeful leadership of the emir who ensured justice among his people no matter whose ox is gored.
The self-styled traditional ruler, Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu Othman, is a rare gem whose passion or desire for peace, unity and development has no bounds. Given the volatile nature of Bauchi State, particularly with the emerging of insurgents who in recent times unleashed terror on the lives of the populace, the first-class emir has ensured proper and coordinated information in the eleven districts of the emirate. Any suspicious or strange movement is to be reported for necessary action. It may interest you to know that these efforts have yielded the desired result as Dass emirate never experienced strike or killings. It’s quite obvious that the most loved or cherished emir has endeared himself to the talakawas. The analogy of these successes could be attributed to the way and manner with which the emir tackles issues with wisdom and patience.
His royal highness, the emir of Dass, Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu Othman, was born on October 18, 1971 in Dass, six years before his late father became the chief of Dass. At the age of six in 1976, he was enrolled in Waziri Masa’ud Primary School from where in 1982 he proceeded to the Government Science Secondary School, Toro. In 1987, he wrote the G.C.E. O Level after which in 1987, he went to the School of Agriculture Bauchi State Polytechnic (ATAP)  where he obtained OND in General Agriculture. His quest for higher education took him to Ahmadu Bello University (A.B.U), Zaria, where he did his H.N.D in Agric. Extension and Management.
The youngest first-class monarch in the north started his work experience at the Bauchi State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources in 1990 and was transferred to Tafawa Balewa as area officer until 1997 when he was seconded to the Bauchi State Agriculture Development Programme (BSADP) where he served in various capacities. In 1999, he joined the banking industry at the then Bank of the North (BON) and worked at the Jos and Maiduguri branches until 2011 when he decided to come back to the palace in Dass to understudy his late father in the art of ruling or leading people.
In 2007, he was appointed a special assistant to the past governor of Bauchi State, Ahmed Adamu Mu’azu, between March and May 2007 and when the Isa Yuguda administration came on board the same year, he was reappointed S.A. and held the office until late 2009 when he was popularly selected as the 8th Emir of Dass following the death of his father. The youngest emir once emphasized that he learnt meekness and honesty from his father’s qualities and he would emulate him in order to make Dass emirate the best. His royal highness has indeed never faltered in doing this.
Dass emirate predated the caliphate as well as the colonial administration which came into being or existence in 1904 and was upgraded to the first-class emirate in 1998 after many years of existence as chiefdom, having been amalgamated into one in 1913.
The emirate has eleven districts and the major inhabitants are Jarawa, Sayawa, Bankalawa, Barawa, Fulani and Hausa, while other settlers like Igbo, Yoruba and other tribes are found engaging in different trades and crafts. One major feature of Dass is the famous Mbula Hills which was used as a hideout for the people during the Jihad years and shielded it away from invaders. Today it stands as one of the places that were not conquered by any group of warriors. It also serves as tourist hub of Bauchi State that attracts people from all walks of life.
Allah yaja zamanin Sarki; amin.
GARBA (Matawallen Dass) wrote in from Dass.

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