Kano Stands Still as Its Highly Revered Emir, Bayero is Buried

Alhaji Ado Bayero who

By Our Correspondents

The remains of the highly revered late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero who died early Friday morning were yesterday evening laid to rest at Gidan Sarki na Nassarawa area of Kano amidst tight security.

Bayero, 83, returned from medical vacation in London last month and his last official engagement was the installation of Wazirin Kano last week Friday.
In a swift reaction, President Goodluck Jonathan expressed deep sadness about the death of Bayero whom he said showed uncommon leadership qualities and evident faith in the peace, unity, progress, and prosperity of Nigeria.

Prior to the burial of Bayero, Thousands of people, including women in pudah lined up on the streets of Kofar Nassarawa, Kofar Mata and all roads leading to Kofar Kudu gate of the emir’s place enroute to Gidan Sarki na Nassarawa were he was buried.

Bayero was interred at about 6.13 pm at the Hubbare, which is the resting place of the previous Emirs of Kano and a prayer was offered at his graveside by Shiek Dahiru Usman Bauchi and other prominent scholars including the Sultan of Sokoto, Saad Abubakar.

The Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo led Federal Government’s delegation to the funeral. Other dignitaries present were the Minister of Defence, General Aliyu Gusau; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; former Head of state Muhammadu Buhari and Senate President, David Mark among others.
Governors who attended the burial were the host Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido and Kaduna State Governor, Muktar Ramlan Yero.

For most of friday, business activities came to a halt in the city as people retired to the late Emir’s palace to catch a glimpse of the corpse and as well pay their last respect to him. Schools were also closed in the entire metropolis.
Earlier in the day, the Kano Emirate Council officially confirmed the death of the Emir through a radio broadcast by Walin Kano, Alhaji Mahe Bashir Wali.

The Wali Kano who is one of the senior councilor in the emirate council stated: “I can confirm to the people that Almighty Allah has taken away the lives of our beloved emir.”

President Jonathan said he received with immense sadness and a deep feeling of great national loss, news of the passing away of the highly revered Emir.
Said the President: “On behalf of himself, my family and the federal government and the people of Nigeria, I commiserate with the Emir's family and all the people of Kano. The late Emir presided over the people of Kano illustriously as traditional ruler for more than half a century.”

The President further described the late Emir as the monarch “whose uncommon leadership qualities and evident faith in the peace, unity, progress, and prosperity of Nigeria combined to make him one of the most respected traditional rulers in the country during his long and very successful reign.”

Jonathan said he believes Ado Bayero would always be remembered and honoured by the people of Kano and all Nigerians for his immense wisdom and competence as a traditional ruler, as well as for using his exalted throne to build bridges of unity, friendship and harmony across the nation.

A statement from Presidential spokesman, Rueben Abati reads further: "The President reaffirms his declaration on the occasion of the Emir's 50th anniversary celebrations last year that the late Alhaji Ado Bayero was one of the most decent and respectable Nigerians he has had the privilege of interacting with, and he will always treasure pleasant memories of their last meeting earlier this year.

"He prays that the Almighty Allah will receive the late Emir's great soul and grant the good people of Kano a worthy successor who will carry on his good works and wise rule for the well-being and benefit of all Nigerians."

David Mark…

Senate President David Mark described Bayero’s demise as a monumental loss to the nation. He said he was a patriotic leader who would be missed in many ways.
Mark, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, added that Bayero was a man of peace and a detribalised Nigerian who promoted love and unity in his lifetime.

"He was a peace maker. He made Kano home for all. He was accommodating. He preached love, unity and good neighbourliness. He was a detribalised leader who made the nation his constituency.

"His contributions to the peace and unity of Nigeria cannot be wished away. The nation owes him a measure of gratitude for his contributions to the socio- political and economic development of the country," Mark said.

He advised Nigerian leaders to emulate the virtues of patriotism, philanthropy, honesty and other leadership qualities which the late Bayero was known for.
The Senate President sympathised with the government and people of Kano State especially the bereaved family over the demise of the monarch and encouraged them to take solace in the legacy he left behind.

Ike Ekweremadu…

On his part, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu described Bayero’s death as shocking and an irreparable loss, adding that his transition marked the end of a glorious era on earth.

“This is indeed a shocking exit of a sage and end of a glorious era. His Royal Highness Ado Bayero was everything a people could have wished for in a leader and royal father in a pluralistic nation. He not only served Nigeria in many exalted capacities before and after ascending the throne of his fathers, but cultivated friendship and admiration that cut across all ethno-religious boundaries.

"He will be remembered as an epitome of courage, a patriotic, humane and upright leader and true elder statesman who gave his very best to his fatherland,” Ekweremadu said.

He recalled that the late Emir whom he said became a victim of insecurity in the land in the twilight of his reign, was outspoken in the condemnation of the scourge of insurgency threatening the nation.

He condoled with the government and people of Kano State over the sad incident and prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul.

PDP…

The National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the passage Bayero as a great shock and intense sadness.
The party said further: "Indeed, this is a sad day. Our nation and the world have lost an uncommon personality; a great African and a quintessential monarch."

Atiku Abubakar …
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said he had lost a father by the death of the late Emir of Kano. In a personal tribute to Ado Bayero, the former Vice President said that his relationship with the late Emir was of a father and his favourite son spanning over three decades.

A visibly pained Atiku said he knew that death was coming (like it would for every mortal), but not in agony and humiliation because he (Ado Bayero) did not deserve it. He said that Ado Bayero was not only loyal to his people in his immediate domain, but to Nigeria and humanity at large.

According to Atiku, Ado Bayero was a pious, humble, upright and honest man whose integrity was unparalleled. Atiku noted that the death of Ado Bayero had robbed the nation of a noble crusader of unity, tolerance and peaceful co-existence. The former Vice President recalled that promoting unity and tolerance was one of Ado Bayero’s greatest and unforgettable legacies.

According to him, Nigeria had lost a crusader for peace, stability and unity at a time his services were still badly needed by the country.

He said Bayero who celebrated his 50th Anniversary on the throne in June last year, was a rare leader of enviable and vast wisdom. He recalled the significant contributions of Bayero to sustaining the unity of Nigeria during the January 15, 1966 political crisis, a role that earned him the respect of the late Dim Chukuemeka Odumegu Ojukwu.

Atiku said the respect Ojukwu had for Ado Bayero, a quintessential bridge-builder, was a significant message about the role Bayero played to hold back Nigeria from the brink of disaster.

Apart from Ado Bayero’s commitment to unity, Atiku Abubakar praised the late monarch’s amazing ability to rule over a vast, complex, heterogeneous, and cosmopolitan state like Kano without losing his sanity, a quality he said was rare among average leaders.

The former Vice President extolled the late Ado Bayero’s integrity and his remarkable character, adding that the late Emir had always associated himself with the progress and development of his people.

Governor Rotimi Amaechi…
Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi described the death of Bayero, as sad and a huge loss to the nation.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. David Iyofor, Amaechi said the Emir’s death was a big blow to the traditional/cultural institution in the country.

"Nigeria has lost a reputable icon, an excellent traditional ruler, and one of the most revered. The sad exit of Ado Bayero is not only a huge loss for his family and state, but one for all of us. He was a reputable leader.

"We join you to mourn the late Emir whose sterling leadership attributes through his outstanding reign of over 50 years will continually be remembered," Amaechi said.

Aminu Waziri Tambuwal…
The Speaker of the House of Representatives,  Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, described the passing away of the Emir of Kano,  as a monumental loss to the entire country, saying he received the news of the passage with great sense of sadness.
In a statement, Tambuwal described the deceased as a strict disciplinarian who led an exemplary life characterised by honesty, fairness, generosity and service to God and humanity.

He said the late Emir treasured knowledge and the search for knowledge.
"Under his long and glorious reign, Kano witnessed unprecedented boom in all spheres of human endeavours. Its eminent status as a trading point and centre of commerce in sub Saharan Africa was not only reaffirmed, but enhanced.

"People of Kano and indeed all Nigerians will miss his advice and reassuring presence. It is gratifying however that he has left behind towering legacies for posterity and this should serve as comforting to us all," Tambuwal added.
While extending his condolences to the Kano Emirate and the state government, the Speaker prayed to Almighty Allah to grant his immediate family the fortitude to bear the loss. 

Ado Bayero: 1930 to 2014…
The late Emir was born on 25 July 1930, in Kano.  He was the son of Abdullahi Bayero dan Muhammad Abbas, a former emir, who reigned for 27 years. Muhammadu Sanusi who was Ado Bayero's half brother ruled after their father’s death from 1953-1963. Following Muhammadu Sanusi’s dethronement in 1963, Muhammadu Inuwa ruled (only for three months). After his death, Ado Bayero ascended the throne in October 1963. Bayero is one of the longest-serving Emirs in the emirate's history.

Ado Bayero was the 13th Fulani Emir since the Fulani War of Usman dan Fodio, when the Fulani took over the Hausa city-states and the 56th ruler of the Kano Kingdom. He was one of the strongest and most powerful emirs in the history of the Hausa land. He was renowned for his abundant wealth, maintained by means of stock market investments and large-scale agricultural entrepreneurship both at home and abroad.

The late Emir was the eleventh child of his father and the second of his mother. He started his education in Kano studying Islam, after which he attended Kano Middle School. He graduated from the School of Arabic Studies in 1947. He then worked as a bank clerk for the Bank of British West Africa until 1949, when he joined the Kano Native Authority. He attended Zaria Clerical College in 1952. In 1954, he won a seat to the Northern regional House of Assembly.

He was head of the Kano Native Authority police division from 1957 until 1962. He later became the Nigerian ambassador to Senegal. During this time he enrolled in a French language class. In 1963, he succeeded Muhammadu Inuwa as Emir of Kano. On 19 January 2013, a failed assassination attempt left two of his sons injured and his driver and bodyguard dead, among others.