By Umar Danladi Ado, Sokoto
The organising committee for the turbaning ceremony of the new Dallatun Sokoto and Dan Masanin Sokoto has provided financial assistance to settle outstanding bills for 56 less-privileged inmates at the Sokoto State Correctional Centre.
The committee also visited Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) and Specialist Hospital, Sokoto, where it extended support to more than 500 beneficiaries.
The Sokoto State Commissioner for Innovation and Digital Economy, Alhaji Bashir Umarun Kwabo, disclosed this while unveiling a three-day programme of activities for the historic turbaning ceremony in Sokoto.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Kwabo, who is also Chairman of the Media and Publicity Sub-Committee for the event, said the activities commenced on Friday, October 30, 2026, with a special Islamic preaching session featuring 11 renowned scholars invited from across the country.
Among the invited scholars were Sheikh Dr Aminu Ibrahim Daurawa, Prof. Mansur Ibrahim Sokoto, Prof. Abdullahi Usman Gadon Kaya and Prof. Abdulqadir Usman Ismail Kabara.
The preaching session was held at Abu Huraira Mosque in the Polo Club area of Sokoto.
According to Kwabo, the main event will take place on Sunday with the investiture and turbaning of the celebrants at the Sultanate Palace between 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
The celebrants are Alhaji Murtala Muhammad Dan Iya, a renowned business mogul and philanthropist, who will be turbaned as the new Dallatun Sokoto, and Prof. Mansur Ibrahim, a lecturer at Usmanu Danfodiyo University and Chief Imam of Abu Huraira Juma’at Mosque, who will receive the title of Dan Masanin Sokoto.
Kwabo expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for the occasion and appreciated His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, for preserving the cultural heritage of the Caliphate through the conferment of the titles.
He also commended the Sokoto State Government under Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto for its support in promoting peaceful coexistence and preserving cultural heritage.
The commissioner further appreciated the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, for his leadership and support to the celebrants.
He also acknowledged Alhaji Dr Umarun Kwabo, MFR, for his leadership and fatherly role in the lives of the celebrants.
Programme of Activities
Kwabo said the turbaning ceremony would be followed by a traditional Durbar horse-riding procession from the Sultanate Council to Hubbaren Shehu and Gidan Haki roundabout.
The Durbar is scheduled to hold between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
After the procession, the celebrants will visit their relatives to receive blessings before reconvening at the residence of Alhaji Dr Umarun Kwabo for a reception scheduled between 12:30 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.
The reception will host invited guests from across the country.
A traditional ceremony known as Bukin Aski, literally meaning the shaving of the celebrants’ heads, will also take place on Sunday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The committee announced that a dinner ceremony would hold on Saturday evening between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. at a specially decorated venue near Abu Huraira Mosque.
Another Islamic preaching session is scheduled for Sunday night at 8:00 p.m. at the mosque, where scholars who could not deliver their lectures on Friday will speak.
The ceremonies will conclude with an event marking the 20th anniversary of Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III on the throne of the Caliphate.
The Sultan is also the President of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria.
Kwabo assured the public, well-wishers and guests travelling from different parts of the country that adequate arrangements had been made to ensure security, comfort and the successful hosting of the three-day programme.