President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep grief over the passing of His Royal Highness Alhaji Ahmad Tijjani Ibn Saleh, the Emir of Gazargamu in Yobe State.
The Ngazargamu Emirate Council had announced the death of the Emir on Tuesday in Cairo, Egypt, after a prolonged illness.
President Tinubu described the late emir as a father, mentor and custodian of tradition whose life was devoted to the service of his people and humanity.
“His Royal Highness embodied wisdom, humility, courage and unwavering dedication to his subjects,” President Tinubu said.
“He provided fatherly guidance and leadership that will remain a source of inspiration to the people of Gazargamu and Yobe State.”
The President extended his condolences to the Ngazargamu Emirate Council, the immediate and extended royal family, the government and people of Yobe State, and all subjects of the emirate.
“I pray Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds, and grant him Al-Jannatul Firdaus. May Allah also grant the family and the entire emirate the fortitude to bear this painful loss,” the President added.
Meanwhile, Mr Kashim Tumsah, a lawyer and development advocate in Yobe, has described the late Emir as an epitome of humility, wisdom and courage.
Tumsah, a former All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in the state, stated this in Damaturu on Tuesday while mourning the death of the first-class chief.
He said “His passing is a monumental loss not only to the people of the Gazargamu Emirate, but also to the entire Yobe State and beyond. The late Emir was a true leader, a source of wisdom, guidance, and peace. His contributions to the progress, unity, and development of his people will never be forgotten. He embodied the values of humility, service, and dedication, leaving an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him.”
The lawyer prayed to the Almighty Allah to continue to guide and bless the people of the Gazargamu Emirate during this difficult time, hoping that the memory of the late Emir would inspire them to emulate his integrity and compassion.
Mr Tijjani Bala, a son of the deceased, described his father as a mentor and traditional ruler whose life was devoted to the service of his people and humanity.
Bala, the General Manager of the Yobe State Road Maintenance Agency (YORMA), said the late Emir’s fatherly guidance, leadership and legacy would remain a source of inspiration to the entire people of Gazargamu.
The late Ibn-Saleh, a first-class traditional ruler had been on the throne for 34 years, having been appointed in 1992.
He was born in 1946 in Mairari, Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe.
He was educated at Geidam Elementary School, Yerwa Senior Primary School, and the Institute of Administration, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
He also held a Higher Islamic Teachers Certificate and Diploma in Sharia and Civil Law.
Before his ascension to the throne, he was a teacher, an Area Court Assistant Registrar, Chairman of Geidam Local Government and Commissioner for Agriculture in old Borno.
In May 2020, he was appointed Chancellor of the Yobe State University.
(NAN)
