MacArthur Foundation Africa Director, Kole Shettima, others to be turbaned Jan. 31

By Steve Oko

Development expert and Africa Director of the MacArthur Foundation, Dr Kole Ahmed Shettima, will on Saturday, January 31, be turbaned as the Zanna Yuroma of Machina Emirate in Yobe State.

To be honoured also at the historic royal ceremony are the Chairman of the Machina Emirate Development Association (MEDA), Engineer Mohammed Kati Machina, and the Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Scholarship Board, Prof. Abubakar Kagu.

The forthcoming turbanning ceremony was disclosed in a statement issued by the Machina Emirate and made available to newsmen.

“The general public is hereby informed, with great pride and distinguished honour, that on Saturday, January 31, 2026, the Machina Emirate will make history with a Royal Turbanning Ceremony for development expert, Dr. Kole Ahmed Shettima, Africa Director of the MacArthur Foundation, who will be turbaned as the Zanna Yuroma of Machina Emirate, Yobe State,” the statement read in part.

According to the statement, the prestigious ceremony will hold under the revered leadership of His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr.) Bashir Albishir Bukar Machinama, OON, L’ONN, the Emir of Machina.

Dr. Shettima, the statement said, is being honoured in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the development of the emirate, particularly in the areas of education, health, religious advancement and the welfare of orphans.

A childhood friend of the Emir, Dr. Shettima was described as a consistent supporter of the welfare and progress of the Machina Emirate, whose impact and service have earned him widespread respect.

“In the same historic ceremony, two other eminent sons of the emirate will also be honoured,” the statement added.

Engineer Mohammed Kati Machina, a retired Permanent Secretary and Senior Liaison Officer on Commerce and Industry to the Executive Governor of Yobe State, will be turbaned as the Marafa of Machina. He is also the Chairman of MEDA.

The statement noted that Engr. Machina, also a childhood friend of the Emir, has made significant contributions to the socio-economic and infrastructural development of the emirate through MEDA and other initiatives.

Similarly, Prof. Abubakar Kagu, an Associate Professor at Yobe State University and Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Scholarship Board, will be turbaned as the Matawalle of Machina.

According to the statement, Prof. Kagu, a blood relation of the Emir, has played a key role in advancing education and promoting justice within the state, in line with the emirate’s enduring values of integrity and scholarship.

Dignitaries from across the country and beyond are expected to grace the prestigious royal ceremony.