THE Emir of Zuru, Muhammadu Sani Sami has died at the age of 81.
He passed on on Saturday night in a London hospital after a brief illness.
His death was confirmed in a statement on Sunday by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Garba Umar-Dutsinmari, in Birnin Kebbi.
The Kebbi State government expressed sadness over the passing of the traditional ruler, describing him as a respected leader whose contributions to peace and development in Zuru Emirate and the state would be remembered.
“The government extends its heartfelt condolences to the immediate family of the late Emir, the Zuru Emirate Council, the people of Zuru, and the entire people of Kebbi State. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus,” the statement read.
Muhammadu Sani Sami, retired, (Sami Gomo II) ascended the throne as the 11th Emir of Zuru in 1995.
He was born on October 24, 1943. He became emir in 1995. He joined the Nigeria Military Training College as officer cadet in 1962 and was later posted to MONS Officer Cadet Course Aldershot, England.
He is also a graduate of the Command and Staff College, Jaji after which he bagged a higher diploma in Defence Management from the Postgraduate Naval College, Monterey, USA.
He was mmissioned into the Nigeria Army in 1963 as Second Lieutenant alongside President Muhammadu Buhari. He also participated in the civil war and was the commander of the troops that chased away Chadians who invaded Borno State.
Following the December 31, 1983 military coup that brought Muhammadu Buhari to power, he was appointed Military Governor of Bauchi State.
He governed from January 1984 until August 1985, when another coup ushered in Ibrahim Babangida.
Nurudeen Akewushola is an investigative reporter and fact-checker with The ICIR. He believes courageous in-depth investigative reporting is the key to social justice, accountability and good governance in society. You can reach him via nyahaya@icirnigeria.org and @NurudeenAkewus1 on Twitter.