It’s the departure of a nation builder –Tinubu on the death of Alhaji Ado Bayero, Emir of Kano

The death of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, has been described as a sad loss and the departure of one of the builders of the modern Nigerian nation. National leader of the All Progressives Congress and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said the demise of the Emir had drawn the curtain on one of the most peaceful and most progressive emirship in the North and Nigeria at large. Tinubu said: “The death of His Royal Highness Ado Bayero saddens the mind. However, he was first among equals and his long reign on the throne validates him as a powerful yet compassionate king who was in tune with the needs and aspirations of his people. “I join millions of Kano citizens and Nigerians to mourn the departure of one of the greats. His wise counsel in times of peace and national upheavals will be missed. He was the poster Emir for what is good, noble and progressive. He was a respected religious leader who used religion as a tool to foster peace and harmony.” Continuing, Tinubu said the Emir left behind a legacy of peace and development in Kano and his influence reached beyond Kano to the Northern parts, the whole of Nigeria and globally. “ Such was his power and influence that he was sought after. The custodian of cultural and traditional values of his people who served as an authentic voice,” Tinubu noted. The APC leader believes that other emirs and obas must continue to play that critical role of mediator in times of conflicts and promoters of peace, harmony and a religiously tolerant society. He said: “It is our traditional rulers that we must now even look up to in tackling the Boko Haram issue and the larger problems of insecurity. Their wise counsel from the North, West, South and East can help build a critical mass of support for dynamic government initiatives.” Tinubu recalled his last visit to the Emir Ado Bayero in Kano some time in March 2013, not long after he survived a brutal attack on his convoy by suspected Boko Haram insurgents. “Despite the very sad incident, the Emir was still in good but solemn spirit as he expressed hope that Nigeria will overcome her present challenges under good leadership and that the unity of Nigeria will remain intact,” he recalled. Tinubu prayed for the Emir’s family, reminding them that the whole of Nigeria mourns with them.