President Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu have spoken glowingly about the Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Haliru Dantoro, Kitoro III who died yesterday, Friday, in Germany after a brief illness at the age of 77.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President sympathized with the late Emir’s family and the people of Borgu Emirate over whom he said the deceased ruled for many years with “commendable wisdom, benevolence and an uncommon dedication to duty.”
The President also sympathized with the government and people of Niger State on the death of the traditional ruler, saying he would be long remembered and honoured for his notable contributions to the development of his community, state and country,
The statement reads in part, “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.
“President Buhari will forever treasure his 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.
In a statement issued by Tinubu’s media unit, the former Lagos governor said that it was unfortunate that the Emir passed away less than 48 hours after he visited him and witnessed how he was gradually recovering.
Tiubu lamented that the Emir’s death is ”most painful coming at such a critical time when Nigeria was in dire need of his forthrightness and wisdom.”
Below is full statement:
- I received with shock, disbelief and great sadness the death of the Emir of Borgu in Niger State, Alhaji Haliru Dantoro Kitoro III [Mai Borgu]. It is a 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 confidant and supporter.
- His death is most painful coming at such a critical time when Nigeria was in dire need of his forthrightness and wisdom. He was a man who loved Nigeria truly. His patriotism was never in question. His loyalty was never in doubt. Nigeria for him was a nation of promise with diverse people bound together in one fate. He did not just dream of a totally united nation in word and deed; he worked tirelessly,day and night to seek to build bridges where there were none and to unite friends and foes. He was a people’s person and everywhere in Nigeria for him was home. He was highly progressive in his orientation and practice.
- Whenever the history of this epoch is written, he will be reserved several pages for his sacrifice for Nigeria, his love for country and its people and his unmatchable contribution to building a better and just society. Through his career as a public servant , a Senator and later a prominent royal father, Alhaji Haliru Dantoro, Kittoro III made sacrifices and contributed immensely to nation building. He will not be forgotten because his likes are rare.
- I came to know him very personally before he turbaned me the Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom. 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 nation hood 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 these onerous task.
- He was a major team player in the struggle for the new political dispensation we now enjoy in Nigeria today. He died a fulfilled man even though he went away early. I condole with the President Muhammadu Buhari, who has also lost a friend and brother and the people of Nigeria and also my condolences to his fellow Emirs and Obas.
Above all, I condole with his family and relatives and also with his friends across the length and breath of this country. May Allah grant his soul eternal peace.” [myad]
