President Bola Tinubu has mourned the death of the Emir of Gumel, Ahmed Sani II, describing his passing as the end of a remarkable era.

Mr Sani, 83, died on Thursday in Cairo, after nearly 46 years on the throne.

The president extended his condolences to the late emir’s family, the Gumel emirate council, the Jigawa government and people, and the traditional institution in Nigeria, in a statement by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga on Thursday.

Mr Tinubu described the deceased as one of Nigeria’s longest-serving and most respected first-class traditional rulers. He noted that Mr Sani ascended the throne on December 16, 1980, and remained a distinguished custodian of the Gumel emirate for nearly five decades.

The president also celebrated the monarch’s contributions beyond the traditional institution, describing him as a distinguished scholar, administrator and statesman.

Before ascending the throne, Mr Sani served with the Gumel Native Authority, the Nigeria Immigration Service, and the Kazaure Divisional Office.

Between 1978 and 1980, Mr Sani served as commissioner for information, internal affairs and culture in the old Kano state.

He said Mr Sani played key roles in establishing The Triumph newspaper, CTV 67, now ARTV, and expanding Radio Kano.

Mr Tinubu added that the late emir devoted his long reign to promoting education, Islamic scholarship, unity among diverse communities, and preserving Gumel’s rich cultural heritage.

“In Jigawa, his calm, conservative and inclusive leadership provided stability through decades of political and security transitions, while he remained an unfailing partner for peace-building and community development,” added Mr Tinubu.

The president said Mr Sani consistently placed his people’s welfare above personal considerations, earning widespread respect across the state and beyond.

(NAN)