Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Aishatu Baju has been turbaned ‘Gimbiyar Biu Emirate’, by the Emir of Biu HRM Alhaji Mai Mustapha Umar Mustapha 11.
The turbaning ceremony of the appointment of a woman into the traditional Council, held at the Emir’s Palace in Biu, Borno State, marks an evolution in the customs and traditions of the ancient emirate of Biu, founded by Yamta-ra-Wala around the mid-16th century .
Speaking, Chairman, Council of Kingmakers and Vice President of the Biu Emirate Council Barrister Ibrahim Birma said her role as Gimbiyar Biu and particularly within the context of today’s world, is to give the emirate a face of integrity, to also galvanise other women groups and give a hope to the women folks that with a greater effort women could better the community.
“her role is largely advisory because we want to capitalise also on her own background, her own experience, her working ethics and the fact that she is going to add value to our community.
Everything has its own time and everything has a beginning. Incidentally, Gimbiyar is a highly placed person within the human hierarchy in the government of feudalism and she happens to also be a wife to another king. She was born and brought up here and among her peers she has excelled herself particularly when it comes to educational adventure,” He said
Speaking to Voice of Nigeria, Gimbiyar Biu , AIG Baju said she would leverage the responsibility of her office as the first gender advisor to the inspector general of police, to work with women, children to ensure that Biu eradicates gender-based violence, empower women and provide mentorship programmes for young girls in the emirate.
“This is something very, very special for me. You know, I’m also a queen, married to a first class Emir but being honoured on my land means a lot to me, and the fact that this is the first time, not just the first Gimbiyar, but the fact that I’m the first woman to be given a title in the entire Emirate, all these hundreds of years; No woman has ever been given a title.I’m the first woman that has been given a title. So for me this is really, really great,” Baju said
Providing insights into the role of her title as Gimbiyar Biu, Baju said “She has the role to represent the Emirates in different capacities as being assigned by his highness, and she also has responsibilities as a special envoy to his highness. Being the daughter also as a princess of the Emirates, it means that I can bring innovations in any way that I can, as I’ve been doing before now, for the development of our community,”
She added that she looked forward to igniting a multiplier effect of inspiring a new generation who excel and exceed her achievements.
AIG Baji is Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of the Force Animal Branch (FAB) who has revolutionized the unit through innovative programs and infrastructure development, most notably the establishment of the K9 Breeding Centre, which has been recognized as the best in the West African region.
She is also the Force Gender Advisor to the Inspector-General of Police spearheading transformative initiatives to position the Nigeria Police Force as an inclusive, gender-responsive, and equal opportunity institution. Her work in this capacity has had far-reaching implications for gender equality in Nigerian law enforcement.
Baju’s commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment is evidenced by her numerous pioneering policy reforms including Police Women’s Uniform Review, NPF Gender Policy leading to the comprehensive review and operationalization of the Nigeria Police Force Gender Policy, ensuring gender mainstreaming across all police operations and administration, and Progressive Pregnancy Policy, resulting in the landmark decision where the Nigeria Police no longer dismiss Unmarried female officers who become pregnant while on duty.
With achievements span law enforcement, veterinary medicine, academic research, traditional leadership, and philanthropic endeavors, Baju is the founder of the Sarauniya Aishatu Baju (SAB) Foundation, which supports women and youth empowerment initiatives and community development programs.
Dr. Aishatu Abubakar-Baju’s career is marked by numerous “firsts” that have opened doors for future generations including, First female Monitor General in NIPSS history, First female President of the Veterinary Council of Nigeria and One of the Most senior female police officers in Nigeria.
Olusola Akintonde