Buhari, Tinubu Mourn Emir Of Borgu

EMINENT Nigerians, including president Muhammadu Buhari and leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have express sadness over the death of the Emir of Borgu in Niger State, Alhaji Haliru Dantoro, Kitoro III.

In a statement by his spokesman, Femi Adesina, the President said he received with great sadness and a deep feeling of immense personal and national loss, news of the passing away of the monarch.

Tinubu, who was turbaned as the Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom by the late emir said: “I came to know him very personally before he turbaned me as Jagaban. But, thereafter, we became brothers, just like family. He never left me alone and I never left him alone either. We shared a common bond; a common patriotic desire to see Nigeria rise up to her full potentials.

We were fired up in our belief that though the journey to nationhood may be long and tortuous, Nigeria had what it takes to attain greatness. We both shared the responsibility of contributing our time, resources and intellect to this onerous task.”

The President, on behalf of himself, the Federal Government, and all Nigerians, extended his condolences to the late Emir’s family and the people of Borgu Emirate, “over whom he (Dantoro) ruled for many years with commendable wisdom, benevolence and an uncommon dedication to duty.
“The President also commiserates with the government and entire people of Niger State on the death of the very illustrious traditional ruler who will be long remembered and honoured for his notable contributions to the development of his community, state and country.
“The President joins them in mourning Alhaji Haliru, a friend and associate of many years, with whom he shared the vision of a peaceful, politically stable, united, progressive and prosperous Nigeria, to which every citizen will be proud to belong.”

He added that President Buhari will forever treasure the memories of the late emir as a great patriot, indefatigable unifier and bridge-builder who did his utmost best as a political leader and traditional ruler to strengthen the bonds that bind all Nigerians together in the interest of national peace, harmony and progress.

The President prays that Almighty Allah will receive Alhaji Haliru’s soul and grant his people a worthy successor who will build on the laudable legacies of his life of service to community and country,” the statement reads.
In his condolence message to the family, Tinubu said he received the news of the monarch’s death with shock, disbelief and great sadness.
“It is upsetting that the emir passed away less than 48 hours after I visited him and witnessed how close he was to full recovery. He was full of life, jovial and eager to return to Nigeria this weekend. I feel a profound sense of personal loss on the sudden passing away of my royal father, a friend, brother and above all a confident and supporter.”
He described the emir’s death as most painful, coming at a critical time when Nigeria is in dire need of his forthrightness and wisdom.