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• Remembers 96 victims of 2006 ADC Airlines crash
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Twenty years after the plane crash that claimed the life of Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Maccido and 95 others, his family has called on the Federal Government and aviation regulatory authorities to strengthen safety measures and enforce greater accountability to prevent a recurrence of the tragedy.
The family also expressed concern over persistent insecurity, communal tensions and religious intolerance across the country, urging political, traditional and religious leaders to embrace the late monarch’s ideals of dialogue, peaceful coexistence and national unity.
In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by Bello Maccido ahead of the 20th anniversary of the tragedy on October 29, the family said the remembrance should not be reduced to mourning but should serve as a reminder of the need to protect lives, strengthen institutions and ensure that lessons from aviation disasters were not forgotten.
Maccido, the 19th Sultan of Sokoto and then President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), died on October 29, 2006, when ADC Airlines Flight 053 crashed, shortly after taking off from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The Boeing 737 aircraft, which was heading to Sokoto, had 105 people on board, of whom 96 died and nine survived.
Among those killed were the Sultan, his son, Senator Badamasi Maccido, and his grandson, making the disaster a particularly devastating tragedy for the royal family.
Recalling the incident, the family said the loss remained painful despite the passage of two decades, stressing that the most meaningful tribute to the victims would be sustained efforts to make air travel safer for Nigerians.
It urged relevant government agencies to strengthen aviation safety standards, improve regulatory oversight and ensure that those entrusted with the responsibility of protecting passengers discharged their duties effectively.
“Let this twentieth remembrance be more than an occasion for mourning,” the family declared, calling on Nigerians to work towards building a peaceful, just and united society.
The family maintained that the anniversary presented an opportunity for the country to reflect not only on the circumstances surrounding the crash but also on the leadership qualities and values that defined Maccido’s life.
It said the late monarch’s commitment to justice, moderation, consultation and interfaith understanding remained particularly important at a time when Nigeria was grappling with terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence and religious divisions.
“At a time when our nation faces serious security and social challenges, the ideals our father stood for remain as relevant as ever,” the statement said.
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The family urged political, religious and community leaders to promote dialogue and mutual respect, stressing that peaceful coexistence remained indispensable to national stability and development.
It recalled that Maccido consistently advocated consultation rather than confrontation and believed that disagreements should be resolved through patience, understanding and engagement.
The statement also cited former President Shehu Shagari’s assessment of the late Sultan’s leadership style, recalling his description of Maccido as a patient and consultative leader who preferred consensus to arbitrary decisions.
“He does not rush or dictate things,” Shagari was quoted as saying.
Born in 1926 in Dange, Sokoto State, Maccido was a son of Sultan Abubakar III and a descendant of Sheikh Usman dan Fodio.
Before ascending the throne in April 1996, he served in public administration, including as Presidential Liaison Officer in Sokoto State.
During his reign, he promoted education, public health and peaceful relations among religious communities, while supporting initiatives against polio and HIV/AIDS.
As Sultan and President-General of the NSCIA, he occupied a prominent position in Nigeria’s religious and traditional leadership, using his influence to encourage moderation and peaceful engagement among communities.
The family recalled that Maccido had travelled to Abuja to attend a Presidential Forum on Education before the fatal crash.
It said his commitment to education and national development reflected his belief that leadership was a responsibility to serve humanity rather than an opportunity to exercise power.
The family urged Nigerians to remember all 96 victims of the tragedy and ensure that their deaths continued to inspire concrete improvements in aviation safety.
It stressed that honouring Maccido’s memory also required a renewed commitment to the ideals of justice, religious tolerance and national unity, which he championed throughout his lifetime.
