- Safiu Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu has mourned the demise of the renowned northern traditional ruler, the Emir of Gumel, Alhaji Ahmed Sani II, describing his passing as the end of a remarkable era.
NPO Reported that the 83-year-old Sani died on Thursday in Cairo, after nearly 46 years on the throne.
Reacting to the news of the monarch’s demise in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu extended his condolences to the late emir’s family, Gumel Emirate Council, Jigawa Government and people, and the traditional institution in Nigeria.
The President described the late Emir as one of Nigeria’s longest serving and most respected first-class traditional rulers.
He noted that Sani ascended the throne on Dec. 16, 1980, and remained a distinguished custodian of the Gumel Emirate for nearly five decades.
The President also celebrated the late traditional ruler’s contributions beyond the traditional institution, describing him as a distinguished scholar, administrator and statesman.
Before ascending the throne, Sani served with the Gumel Native Authority, Nigeria Immigration Service and Kazaure Divisional Office.
Tinubu recalled that between 1978 and 1980, the late Emir served as Commissioner for Information, Internal Affairs and Culture in the old Kano State.
He said Sani played key roles in establishing The Triumph newspaper, CTV 67, now ARTV, and expanding Radio Kano.
“As Emir, Alhaji Sani II transformed Gumel into a model of peace and development. He was a father to all and a beacon of wisdom”, he said.
Tinubu added that the late emir devoted his long reign to promoting education, Islamic scholarship, unity among diverse communities and preservation of Gumel’s rich cultural heritage.
“In Jigawa, his calm, conservative and inclusive leadership provided stability through decades of political and security transitions, while he remained an unfailing partner for peace-building and community development.”
The President said Sani consistently placed the welfare of his people above personal considerations, earning widespread respect across the state and beyond.
“Nigeria has lost a towering traditional leader whose wise counsel will be sorely missed at a time when the nation continues to draw on traditional institutions to strengthen national cohesion”, he noted.
The president prayed for Allah’s forgiveness for the late emir, acceptance of his noble deeds and eternal rest in Al-Jannah Firdaus.
He also prayed for the royal family, Gumel Emirate and people of Jigawa to have the fortitude to bear the loss.
“I pray that Almighty Allah will forgive the shortcomings of the late emir, accept his noble deeds, and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.