Princess Zainab Jummai Bayero, the daughter of the late Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, has publicly reached out to Governor Abba Yusuf, requesting housing and financial support for her family. This appeal comes almost a decade after the passing of her father, who was one of the most esteemed and long-serving emirs in Kano’s history.
Ado Bayero, who passed away at the age of 83 on June 6, 2014, ruled from 1963 until his death. His reign left an indelible mark on Kano, and his legacy continues to be revered. However, since his passing, Zainab Bayero, along with her mother and younger brother, have faced significant financial difficulties.
In an exclusive interview with Premium Times on Friday, August 23, Zainab opened up about the struggles her family has endured since her father’s death. She revealed that they have been living in precarious conditions, moving from one hotel to another, and have been unable to secure a stable home.
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“I know a lot of people will be very surprised that the daughter of an Emir is in this kind of situation,” Zainab said, describing the challenges of being born into a polygamous family where divisions became more pronounced after her father’s death.
“His death left a void within the family. Everyone was alone, especially me, my mother, and my younger brother. We were not given a part of his estate, so we were left in a terrible situation, which has been going on for ten years.”
She explained that her family has been trying to rebuild their lives and find a permanent residence, preferably in Lagos, where they hope to start anew. However, the escalating cost of living, particularly the high real estate prices in Lagos, has made this aspiration challenging. Zainab estimated that they would need around N150 million to purchase a house in Lagos.
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Zainab also disclosed that while Governor Yusuf had assisted them in June by settling some of their hotel bills, the financial support provided was insufficient to cover their ongoing expenses. “He (the governor) gave us some money, but it wasn’t enough to rent a house for a year. So, we’ve been trying to find a place, but the funds aren’t sufficient. We’re in the same situation again,” she lamented.
In addition to her appeal to Governor Yusuf, Zainab also called on President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and other compassionate Nigerians for support. She noted that her family’s hotel booking had expired, and they would have to vacate their accommodation by Saturday, August 23, leaving them with no place to stay.
The situation highlights the unexpected challenges faced by the family of a revered leader, bringing to light the struggles that can arise even in the most esteemed households.