Aliyu Muhammad Gana

Muhammadu Barkindo Aliyu Mustapha (born 13 February 1944) was turbaned on 18 March 2010 as the traditional ruler, title Lamido of Adamawa in Adamawa State, Nigeria. The ceremony followed the approval of the state governor Murtala Nyako.

Barkindo was born in Yola in February 1944, eldest son of the Lamido Aliyu Musdafa. He attended Barewa College, Zaria and then Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria where he obtained a Diploma in Law in 1969.

Later he attended North London Polytechnic (1973–1975) and St Clements University in the Turks and Caicos Islands (2000–2002).

He worked with the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Port Authority, and the National Freight Company.

Joining the Gongola State civil service, he became a Commissioner for Works and later a Commissioner for Animal Health.

Barkindo was a director of the National Engineering and Technical Company (1991–1993), chairman of Stirling Civil Engineering Nigeria Limited (1991–2003), and chairman of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (2003–2005).

In April 2009, Barkindo was deputy chairman of the organizing committee for the bicentennial celebration of the Adamawa Emirate, founded in 1809 by the scholar and spiritual leader, Modibbo Adama.

His father Aliyu Musdafa died on 13 March 2010 at the age of 88 after reigning for 57 years. His funeral was attended by 20 state governors and other dignitaries.

Aliyu Musdafa had groomed Barkindo for succession, appointing him Chiroma Adamawa in 1980 and placing him in the emirate council in 1987. Barkindo’s appointment as the 12th Lamido of Adamawa five days after his father’s death was recommended by the emirate’s kingmakers after considering six candidates, two from each of the three ruling houses.

All eleven kingmakers cast their votes in favor of Lamido Barkindo.

In May 2010, Barkindo stated that traditional titles were not for sale and would only be given to worthy candidates based on recommendations from the emirate’s kingmakers.

In June 2010, he warned of the effects of climate change, advising farmers to plant hardy crops and stating that the Adamawa emirate would support policies to improve agricultural productivity.

In September 2010, as Chairman of the Adamawa State Council of Chiefs and Emirs, Barkindo called on Muslims to ensure they marked Eid ul-Fitr uniformly throughout the state.