The League of Kano Veteran Journalists on Saturday expressed shock over the demise of the Emir of Gumel in Jigawa, Alhaji Ahmed Sani 11.
The League’s message was conveyed in a statement signed by Abdulkadir Ibrahim, Secretary and member of its Board of Trustees.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the revered Emir died on Thursday, Sept. 3, in Cairo, Egypt, where he was receiving medical care, and was buried in Gumel on Friday, Sept. 4.
He was aged 83 years.
The late ruler, one of northern Nigeria’s longest-serving traditional rulers, ascended the throne on Dec. 16, 1980, following the death of his father, and received his staff of office in May 1981.
The group recalled that as commissioner from October 1979 to 1980, Sani 11 played a key role in the establishment of Kano State’s two media institutions – the Triumph Publishing Company (publishers of the Triumph Newspapers), and Kano State Television Corporation, CTV-67 (now known as ARTV).
“He also initiated an expansion policy of the Kano State-owned Radio Station, the third oldest Radio Station in the country, that was established in 1944,” the statement said.
The League also recalled that in January 1980, Sani 11 facilitated the support and assistance of the Kano State Government to the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in organising a Veterans Journalists Honours Award Ceremony.
The group also acknowledged that significant socio-economic development was recorded in Gumel Emirate during the 45 years reign of Sani 11.
The late Emir received his primary education at Gumel Primary School from 1948 to 1953, and attended Hadejia Middle School from 1953 to 1956.
For his secondary education, he went to Kano High School (now Rumfa College, Kano), and passed out in 1961.
He studied at the Institute of Administration, Kongo in Zaria (now part of Ahmadu Bello University), where he earned a diploma in Public Administration in 1963 and returned for a Higher Diploma in the same field in 1970.
In 1972, he studied Political Science (undergraduate) and International Relations (postgraduate) at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, United States, completing his studies in 1978.
Alhaji Sani II worked with the Gumel Native Authority from 1961 to 1963.
In 1964, he joined the immigration department and was stationed in Ngambori Ngala, Borno State.
His career progressed further in 1972, when he was appointed a senior government official at the Kazaure Divisional office.
With the return of political activities in 1978, he joined the Great Nigerian Peoples Party (GNPP), served as its Administrative Secretary in Kano State, and contested a Senatorial seat on the party’s platform during the 1979 general elections, but was unsuccessful.
However, a subsequent coalition between the GNPP and the party that won the Governorship of the old Kano State (now Jigawa and Kano States), the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), led to his appointment as Commissioner for Information, Internal Affairs, and Culture by the then elected PRP Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Rimi.
Media reports said he worked and balanced modern operational standards with the preservation of esteemed traditions.
“His open-door policy marked a significant departure from the past, inviting subjects to engage directly with their leader. This was to foster an intimate bond between the monarchy and its citizens,” the statement stated.
“On behalf of the Board Co-Chaired by Nasir Balarabe Zahradeen and Muhammad Sani Zorro, the Interim Management Committee and members of the League, we wish to commiserate with the family of Gumel Emir over this sad development.
“We also extend our condolences to the traditional rulers and the governments and People of Jigawa and Kano states over the great loss.
“It is our prayers that his soul will rest in peace,” the statement said.(NAN)
Edited by Ephraim Sheyin