Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello has just a long list of sympathizers in paying a condolence visit to the family of late Emir of Kontagora, Alhaji Saidu Namaska at the Sarkin Sudan’s Palace.
The Governor in company of eminent Nigerians, arrived Kontagora to condole with the family and people of the Emirate over the death of the longest serving monarch in Northern Nigeria.
While comforting the immediate family members of the late Emir,Governor Sani Bello reminiscent on the farming and philanthropic qualities of the deceased Monarch adding that the late Emir deserves to be immortalized.
“He was a good big time farmer, most of the produce from his farm went to the poor, so definitely, he is someone that is to be immortalized”, the Governor said
The Governor described the late emir as one of the strongest amongst his contemporaries who was always in touch with his subjects.
“He is one of the emirs that go round all the towns and villages under his emirate, he did that frequently up to the moment he started having health challenges”, he said.
Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada who represented President Muhammadu Buhari sympathized with the Niger State government and Kontagora emirate in particular over the demise of the monarch.
He said the late Emir would be remembered for maintaining peace and harmony as well as ensuring rapid development in his domain. He added that the love and concern the late emir had for his subjects are his great legacies.
Senator Ibn Nallah and Honourable Mohammed Bago both from the upper chambers in their separate remarks described late Sarkin Sudan as a man of peace who has impacted positively in the lives of the people particularly the youths,saying that his death is a great loss to the country.
Special prayers were offered for the repose of the soul of the late Emir.
Among the dignitaries at the palace are Ambassador Zubairu Dada who represented President Muhammadu Buhari, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah from Kebbi South and Member representing Chanchaga in the House of representatives Umar Mohammed Bago, representatives of Emir of Gwandu, first class Emirs in Niger State, Former Military Governor of Kano state Col. Sani Bello, former Minister of Sports Engr. Sani Ndanusa, Members of the State House of Assembly, local government chairmen and other top government.
The late monarch was born on 31st December, 1937.
He began his working carrier as a Forest Guard with the then Native Authority in 1954, became District Scribe and was later appointed as the area Court President in 1968 and was posted to Salka were he was later transferred to Mahuta in Zuru District.
Late Sarkin Sudan was also a judicial officer who attended Institute of administration in Zaria and obtained first class certificate in advanced Judiciary course in 1972 after he had acquired second class certificate in Judiciary in the same institution in 1962.
He ascended the throne as the 6th Emir of Kontagora in July 1974.
Until his death, the late Emir was the Vice Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers and the longest serving Emir in Northern Nigeria.
Saidu Namaska who died at an Abuja hospital, after a protracted illness, and was buried according to Islamic rites.
Late Sarkin Sudan is survived by wives, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Mary Noel-Berje
Chief Press Secretary
to the Governor of Niger State
