Tribute to late Emir of Ningi, by Jibrin Ali Giginyu

Tribute to late Emir of Ningi, by Jibrin Ali Giginyu

On Sunday 25th August, 2024, one of the longest serving monarchs in Nigeria, the Emir of Ningi in Bauchi State died at the age of 88. He reigned for 46 years.

Late Alhaji Muhammad Yunusa Danyaya, a first-class emir ascended the throne of his forefathers in 1978. In their tributes, several political, traditional and religious leaders rightly described the late emir as a peace maker, dedicated and selfless leader who served his people and humanity with patriotic and dutiful zeal.

This writer had the privilege of interacting with the late emir on three occasions thus feels the need to share such experiences and some lessons therein for the record, history and posterity.
I did my mandatory national youth service at Ningi Local Government secretariat of the then old Bauchi state in 1994-1995.Therefore, this provided the first opportunity to meet the late emir physically during a courtesy visit to the royal palace.

During the visit, the four NYSC members posted to the local government area were a bit confused about the protocols. The late emir noticed the palpable confusion on whether we were to remove our boots and do the traditional greetings or otherwise. He immediately came to our rescue and directed that we should come in with our boots and further asked us to stand on attention. With our basic drills skills learned at the orientation camp, we complied and this enabled us to regain our composure. This was really a demonstration of humility and leadership in action.

What further drew my attention to his personality was the glaring uprightness, conviction and unparalleled courage during the National Constitutional Conference of 1994-95. It was on the news that as a government-nominated delegate he lamented how traditional rulers focused more on celebrating successive regimes.
During my service year at the local government secretariat’s department of education, I was also a regular writer of opinion articles for publication in the The New Nigerian, The Democrat and Triumph Newspapers. My information detail was then NYSC member serving at Ningi LG Secretariat.

Based on my write-ups in the national dailies, I made some friends who were interested in reading them. One of such was a young man Mohammed Sadisu Ningi, who was a casual staff at United Bank for Africa (UBA) Ningi branch. He indicated interest to learn how to write articles for publication in newspapers.

I provided him with some guidance on how to start writing newspaper articles. First, we identified a particular issue of concern noticed in the community and how it can be addressed by either government or the community itself. The issue of an abandoned agricultural training school came up. So, we decided that an article urging Bauchi State Government to convert the school to a campus of the state polytechnic is necessary. The article was therefore written urging the state government to merge the abandoned agricultural training centre with Abubakar Tatari Polytechnic with some points to justify the suggestion. It was published by The Democrat and The Triumph Newspapers.

The late emir read this article while in Abuja at the1994-95 National Conference Constitutional. He was impressed that one of his subjects had raised a voice about an issue that would improve his emirate. On his return to Ningi he requested that the writer should be identified and brought to him.

My friend was therefore invited to the Emir’s palace. The emir appreciated his foresight and effort, emphasizing that it was one of the ways people can channel their grievances to the government. He expressed his displeasure over the failure of his people to write on issues affecting them in the past.

The late emir noticed that Mohammed Sadisu’s highest educational qualification then was a National Diploma in Agriculture and that he was a casual staff at UBA. He directed his immediate recruitment by Ningi Local Government and with a promise that if he gets admission at any time, he will be sponsored by the local government council. He argued that he needed to further his education so as to be able to handle future challenges effectively. He further encouraged him to continue writing on issues affecting the emirate with an assurance of full support from the Emirate.

Exactly thirty years now, Mohammed Sadisu holds a Higher National Diploma, Postgraduate Diploma and Master’s degree in Agronomy and currently a doctoral candidate at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University of Technology, Bauchi. He is now the most senior staff in the Department of Agriculture of Ningi Local Government. May Allah (SWT) reward the late emir abundantly for this support.

Coming to my second interaction with the late Emir was in 1998 while working with the Triumph Newspapers. It was on a special production to celebrate the 35 years anniversary of the late Emir of Kano, Alh Ado Bayero on the throne. I chose to go to Ningi as a neighbouring emirate of Kano to interview the emir and take that opportunity to meet my old friends. The interview focused on the relationship between the two emirates and he sent congratulatory and goodwill messages to the emir of Kano on the occasion and appreciated the cordial relationship existing between the two emirates.

The third interaction was still while working with the Triumph Newspapers as Political Editor. I travelled to Ningi in 1998 during the short political transition of General Abdulsalam’s administration to interview political party leaders from the emirate.

On arrival in the morning of a weekend, I was informed that a town hall meeting was taking place at the emir’s palace. It involved key stakeholders from all walks of life, politicians, religious leaders, academics, traditional title holders, professionals, artisans and youth representatives among others. Upon enquiry, I was told that the late emir made the opening remarks with tasking all people of Ningi emirate to put all differences aside be it political or whatever and focus on moving the emirate forward through collective efforts and responsibility. This undoubtedly was an affirmation of his consistency and resilience on the progress and development of his emirate in all ramifications.

On meeting the late Emir, he directed the Senior Councilor to take me to a title holder, a lawyer for an interview on issues affecting Ningi for Government’s attention. I remember the story was published on the back page of The Triumph Newspaper.

Interestingly, from 1999 to date one may say that Ningi stakeholders have heeded to the wise counsel of their late visionary emir. Elements of collective efforts and responsibility are now quite glaring in the areas of infrastructural development and active participation and representation of the emirate not only in Bauchi state governance process but at even national political landscape.

On national issues, the late Emir early this year, cautioned on the agitation for the formation of state police where he expressed fears that they would be misused by some governors he also suggested return to a parliamentary system to reduce cost of governance in the country.

All these actions were obvious demonstration of his love for his emirate, state and the country as a whole and for sure his subjects and indeed Nigerians will continue to remember him as an embodiment of selfless service, courage, uprightness and patriotism. May Allah (SWT) reward him with Aljannatul Firdaus and give the royal family and the entire people of Ningi the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Jibrin Ali Giginyu was a Staff of Triumph Newspapers and former Correspondent of VoA Hausa Service. He can be reached at jibrin67@yahoo.com