Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has led by a string values and has worked hard to break “parochial barriers.”

Speaking in Sokoto on Thursday at the 10-year commemoration symposium for the Sultan, Osinbajo stated: “You’ve developed deep friendship with leaders such as Cardinal Onayiekan, Bishop Mathew Kukah, Christian leaders and leaders of all faiths locally and internationally.”

The vice president affirmed that the Sultan’s reign has been remarkable as he was “in good standing, both with his people and Nigerians.”

He congratulated the Sultan on “the milestone recorded in the last decade” and praised him for his “extended great kindness and generosity to so many, regardless of status, recognising common humanity and frailties of all”.

The vice president prayed for continued strength, good health, wisdom and long life for the Sultan.

He asked the nation’s leaders to stand firm against corruption, injustice and extremism as the founder of the Sokoto Caliphate Uthman Dan Fodiyo did.

Osinbajo said Dan Fodio acknowledged that a leader has the responsibility not to be corrupt and as well as to look after the well-being of his people.

The vice president quoted Dan Fodio as having written: ‘When you find a man who has the tendency to steal, he is in same class as a monkey.”

Acknowledging the legacies of past Sultans, their contributions towards promoting justice and overall development of the society, Osinbajo said it was gratifying that Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar took after his forebears.