The Emir of Ningi in Bauchi State, his Royal Highness, Alhaji Yunusa Muhammad Danyaya (OON), has passed away.
The revered monarch was reported to have died in the early hours of Sunday in Kano, where he had been taken for medical attention due to age-related health issues.
The late Royal Father will be buried later on Sunday evening at 4pm following a funeral prayer to be held at the Emir’s Palace in Ningi.
The announcement of his death was conveyed by the Secretary of the Emirate, Alhaji Usman Sule, Magayakin Ningi, in a brief statement written in Hausa.
The statement reads, “Innalillahi Wa’innan Ilaihir Raji’un. Allah yayiwa mai Martaba Sarkin Ningi, Dr. Yunusa Muhammadu Dan Yaya (OON), rasuwa da asubahin yau, Lahadi a Kano
“IZa ayi jana’iza da karfe Hudu na yamma a kofar Fada. Sanarwa daga Sakataren Fada, Alhaji Usman Sule, Magayakin Ningi.”
His Royal Highness, Alhaji Yunusa Muhammad Danyaya, was a distinguished and highly respected first-class traditional ruler in the North East Geographical Zone.
As the Emir of Ningi in Bauchi State, he was adored by his subjects for his sense of justice, fairness, and equity. His tenure witnessed the rapid transformation of Ningi from a rural community into a fast-developing and modern town.
Born in Ningi in 1936, Alhaji Yunusa began his education at Ningi Elementary School between 1941 and 1946, and continued to Bauchi Middle School, completing his studies in 1951.
He later enrolled at the School of Hygiene, Kano, in 1951, and pursued further studies at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, where he completed a one-year course in Public Administration between 1956 and 1957. He also attended a course at the British Council, Kano, between 1959 and 1960, and earned a diploma in public administration from ABU Zaria between 1960 and 1962.
Alhaji Yunusa had a distinguished career in the Native Authority (NA) Administration, starting as a dispenser at Nasaru Dispensary, Ningi, from 1953 to 1958.
He served in various capacities, including as a member of the Ningi Emirate Council (1956-1960), Councilor of the Medical and Health Department (1958-1959), and District Head and Chiroman Ningi in 1959.
He later joined the Nigerian Tobacco Company, Zaria, in 1963 as a welfare officer and went on to work at the Northern Nigeria Marketing Board, where he held several managerial positions.
He was appointed Sub-Area Manager in charge of Gombe, Biu, and Kumo in 1970, and later became the Acting Area Manager in charge of the North Eastern States Marketing Board in 1976.
Alhaji Yunusa was crowned Emir of Ningi in 1978 and was elevated to first-class status in 1998. He played significant roles in various organizations, including Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JIN) and the National Council of States, representing Bauchi State Council of Chiefs from 1979 to 1983.
He also served as Acting Chairman, Board of Directors of Inland Bank Nigeria Plc, and Director of the Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority.
His contributions to national development earned him numerous awards and honors, including the National Honours Award as “Officer of the Order of Niger (OON)” and various merit awards from different organizations.
Alhaji Yunusa traveled extensively to countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Namibia, and other West African nations.
His hobbies included horse riding, farming, and traveling. He was happily married and blessed with twenty-four children.
