Zainab Jummai, one of the daughters of the late Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, has appealed to Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State for lasting support to secure a permanent residence, achieve financial independence, and fund her brother’s education.
Zainab, a member of the Dabo Royal family, highlighted that the family’s painful situation has persisted for nearly a decade since the death of Ado Bayero.
She reached out to Governor Yusuf and the current Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido, following an alleged threat to evict her mother and brother from a hospitality facility where they have been residing.
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Zainab explained that she and her siblings were abandoned and denied their rightful inheritance after the monarch’s death, despite repeated appeals to various prominent figures. She stressed the urgency of their situation, describing the threat of eviction as potentially dangerous to her mother’s health.
In a recent intervention on June 25, 2024, Governor Yusuf acted on Zainab’s public plea by sending his spokesman, Sanusi Bature, to meet with Sunel Kumar, General Manager of the apartment complex, to address the threatened eviction. The governor successfully settled the family’s debt, providing temporary relief.
However, Zainab emphasized that this intervention is not a permanent solution. She shared her experience stating, “As a princess, certain things are required of me, but it took a lot to set my pride aside and seek the assistance of the Governor in the media. As a daughter, I had to seek help because I couldn’t watch my mom be in such a dangerous predicament that might affect her health. A daughter’s love is what compelled me to do this.”
She further explained her situation: “My name is Zainab Jummai Ado Bayero. I think a lot of people have recently seen my face and name in the news lately. I guess some people might imagine I enjoy the attention; on the contrary, I’m very shy and private. The second reason I spoke out is survival.
“A lot of people will judge and make assumptions about why myself, my mom, and my brother would be in such a situation, as kids of one of the most powerful and wealthiest monarchs in Nigerian history. It’s a complex story that involves the pitfalls of being royal and being a part of a polygamous home. I hope to tell the story someday.”
Zainab concluded her plea with a heartfelt appeal to Governor Yusuf: “I am pleading with his Excellency, the Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf, to end our painful situation, which has gone on for ten years since our dad died. Yes, on 24th June 2024, he did settle our debt and help us get a temporary solution, but it’s not over. In that publication, he was the only one who responded to my plea; for that, I’m grateful.
“As the governor of the state, he is responsible for the citizens of Kano, and he is also part of the Kano Royal home. We need a home and financial independence, and to get my brother back to school. I know he’s a great advocate of education, and I hope he will end this.”
