Northern governors mourn Emir of Gombe

The Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, speaking on behalf of his colleagues has described the death of the Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Usman Abubakar, as unfortunate.
The Chairman and Governor of Niger State, added that the North and Nigeria will miss his fountain of knowledge, especially as the North is passing through its social and economic challenges.
Dr. Aliyu, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Israel A. Ebije, described the late Emir as a humble, dedicated patriot whose contribution in wealth of knowledge has helped immensely to encourage collective developmental aspirations in the Northern states and Nigeria as a whole.
Aliyu, who also condoled with the Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, called on the people of the state to take heart, adding that it was a time for everybody in the state to close ranks and work towards sustaining the legacies of the late emir.
The statement said: “We will miss the leadership role of the late emir who was one of the stabilizing force in the Northern states. The passing of the emir is another reminder that death is inevitable and those who are living must leave traceable legacies.
“It is therefore my prayer that we emulate his exemplary leadership to keep the North and Nigeria peaceful, united with common developmental aspirations. While we cannot question Allah, it is my prayer that God grant him Jannatul Firdaus.”
The statement added that the emir died on Tuesday evening at the Royal Marsden Hospital, Fulham Road, London, the United Kingdom, where he was undergoing treatment for cancer.
He died at the age of 76.
The late emir ascended the throne of his ancestors in January 1984 and was the Chairman of the Gombe State Council of Traditional Rulers.