The first-class emir of Gusau, Alhaji (Dr.) Muhammad Kabir Dan Baba is dead. He died in the early hours of yesterday at the Turkish Hospital, Abuja.
The development came just as President Goodluck Jonathan and speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Tambuwal paid tributes to the late royal father.
The late Dan Baba, was the 14th ruler and the pioneer emir of Gusau, and was later elevated to a first-class emir in the year 2000 by the first democratically elected governor of Zamfara State, Ahmed Sani Yariman Bakura.
The late emir who died at the age of 91, ruled for 31 years, leaving behind 22 children and many grand children.
According to the official radio announcement, the funeral prayers of the late emir will be held in the state capital, Gusau.
Prominent personalities expected to attend the funeral include the defence minister, Gen. Aliyu Gusau, the minister of state for finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, Senator Ahmed Sani Yariman Bakura, Governor Yari Abubakar and many other dignitaries from within and outside the state.
Meanwhile, President Jonathan has said that the late emir of Gusau, Alhaji Muhammad Kabir Dan Baba lived an exemplary life of service to community and country.
In a statement issued yesterday by presidential spokesman, Dr. Reuben Abati, the president commiserated with the government and people of Zamfara State on the death of the royal father who passed on yesterday.
Abati said the president who described the deceased as a highly revered emir prayed Allah to grant him “eternal rest and bless the people of Gusau with a worthy successor to the late emir who will build on his commendable legacies of progress and development”.
The statement made available to LEADERSHIP continued, “President Jonathan joins them in mourning Alhaji Muhammad who was one of the longest serving traditional rulers in Nigeria, having been appointed district head of Gusau in 1984 before being upgraded to 2nd Class Emir in 1997 and 1st Class Emir three years later.
“The president believes that the late emir, who honoured him with the traditional title of Garkuwan Manoman Zamfara during his visit to the state on January 19, this year, will be missed by the people of Gusau whom he ruled with great wisdom and understanding for more than 30 years”.
In his own tribute, Hon Tambuwal commiserated with the government and people of Zamfara State over the demise of the emir of Gusau, Alhaji Mohammed Kabir Dan Baba.
The speaker described the late emir as a traditional ruler of note who ruled with the fear of God. He said the death of the emir at this period in the history of the nation was a great loss.
