Mohammed El-Kanemi, Emir of Dikwa, is dead

Mohammed El-Kanemi, Emir of Dikwa in Borno state, is dead.

Babakura Abba-Jato, the Borno commissioner for information, announced his death in a statement on Saturday.

Abba-Jato said El-Kanemi, who is described as the second highest ranking traditional ruler in the state, passed away in the early hours of Saturday in Abuja.

Born in 1946, the late El-Kanemi was appointed as the Shehu of Dikwa after the creation of another emirate out of the then Dikwa emirate in 2008.

He was said to have died in a private hospital “after a protracted illness”.

The commissioner also said Babagana Zulum, governor of Borno, cut short his official engagement in the southern part of the state to honour the deceased.

“Zulum prayed to Almighty Allah for the repose of his soul, his family and the entire Dikwa emirate fortitude to bear the loss, as the royal father’s death is a loss to the entire state and the country at large,” he said.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the people of Borno on the death of the traditional ruler.

According to a statement by Garba Shehu, the president’s spokesman, Buhari said the emir’s death came at a time when his services were badly needed in the country.

“The contributions of the late Emir of Dikwa to unity, harmony and peaceful coexistence in the country were remarkable and Nigeria will miss his services,” Buhari was quoted to have said.

“May Allah forgive his gentle soul, and reward his noble deeds with aljanna. May Allah grant his family the fortitude to bear this great loss.”