Prominent Nigerians have poured encomiums on the late Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Haliru Dantoro, Kitoro III.
Dantoro died on Friday.
President Muhammadu Buhari said he received with great sadness and a deep feeling of immense personal and national loss the news of the passing away of the Emir.
A statement on Saturday by the Presidency said: “On behalf of himself, the Federal Government and all Nigerians, President Buhari extends sincere condolences to the late Emir’s family and the people of Borgu Emirate over whom he ruled for many years with commendable wisdom, benevolence and an uncommon dedication to duty.
“The President also commiserates with the government and entire people of Niger State on the death of the very illustrious traditional ruler who will be long remembered and honoured for his notable contributions to the development of his community, state and country,
“The President joins them in mourning Alhaji Haliru, a friend and associate of many years, with whom he shared the vision of a peaceful, politically stable, united, progressive and prosperous Nigeria to which every citizen will be proud to belong.
“President Buhari will forever treasure his memories of the late Emir as a great patriot, indefatigable unifier and bridge-builder who did his utmost best as a political leader and traditional ruler to strengthen the bonds that bind all Nigerians together in the interest of national peace, harmony and progress.
“The President prays that Almighty Allah will receive Alhaji Haliru’s soul and grant his people a worthy successor who will build on the laudable legacies of his life of service to community and country.
Eminent businessman and former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Kalu, described the late Emir as a forthright and respected monarch, whose demise is a great loss to the nation.
Dantoro died in a German hospital on Friday.
Kalu, who is also Baa Danide of Borgu, described the late monarch as a detribalized Nigerian who used the traditional institution to promote peace and unity in the country.
In a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Prince Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu said: “I was shocked when I heard the news of the passing of Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Haliru Dantoro. The late monarch was an outstanding personality who used his position and network of contacts to advance the cause of his people. He built friendship across the length and breadth of Nigeria regardless of religious, political and ethnic divides. The late emir will be remembered for bringing innovation into the Borgu emirate council through the celebration of culture and tradition with pomp and grandeur. His reign brought unprecedented development to Borgu and its environs. He will be greatly missed for his benevolence and humility.”
Kalu urged the deceased’s family to take solace in the fact their patriarch lived a purposeful life dedicated to humanity and left behind a good legacy.
The former governor, while commiserating with the government and people of Niger State and the Borgu Emirate Council, prayed God to grant the late emir eternal rest.
A National Leader of the All Progressives Congress and former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a personally signed statement, Tinubu said: “I received with shock, disbelief and great sadness the death of the Emir of Borgu in Niger State, Alhaji Haliru Dantoro Kitoro III [Mai Borgu]. It is a upsetting that the Emir passed away less than 48 hours after I visited him and witnessed how close he was to full recovery. He was full of life, jovial and eager to return to Nigeria this weekend . I feel a profound sense of personal loss on the sudden passing away of my royal father, a friend, brother and above all a confidant and supporter.
“His death is most painful coming at such a critical time when Nigeria was in dire need of his forthrightness and wisdom. He was a man who loved Nigeria truly. His patriotism was never in question. His loyalty was never in doubt. Nigeria for him was a nation of promise with diverse people bound together in one fate. He did not just dream of a totally united nation in word and deed; he worked tirelessly,day and night to seek to build bridges where there were none and to unite friends and foes. He was a people’s person and everywhere in Nigeria for him was home. He was highly progressive in his orientation and practice.
“Whenever the history of this epoch is written, he will be reserved several pages for his sacrifice for Nigeria, his love for country and its people and his unmatchable contribution to building a better and just society. Through his career as a public servant , a Senator and later a prominent royal father, Alhaji Haliru Dantoro, Kittoro III made sacrifices and contributed immensely to nation building. He will not be forgotten because his likes are rare.
“I came to know him very personally before he turbaned me the Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom. But thereafter, we became brothers, just like family. He never left me alone and I never left him alone either. We shared a common bond. A common patriotic desire to see Nigeria rise up to her full potentials. We were fired up in our belief that though the journey to nation hood may be long and tortuous , Nigeria had what it takes to attain greatness. We both shared the responsibility of contributing our time, resources and intellect to these onerous task.
“He was a major team player in the struggle for the new political dispensation we now enjoy in Nigeria today. He died a fulfilled man even though he went away early. I condole with the President Muhammadu Buhari, who has also lost a friend and brother and the people of Nigeria. Also my condolences to his fellow Emirs and Obas.
“Above all, I condole with his family and relatives. Also with his friends across the length and breath of this country. May Allah grant his soul eternal peace.”
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