I had the privilege of coming across the Late Dantoro, the Emir of Borgu, sometime around 1990 after my return from Maiduguri as commissioner of commerce and industry in the old Borno State.
Since then I have maintained a cordial and fruitful relationship with the decreased, I have learned quite a lot from him, ranging from his approach, maturity, gentility, understanding and above all his life experience.
He is a man of peace and courage who was a detribalized leader and bridge builder. He was a patriotic and highly respected traditional ruler who did everything humanly possible for the unity, progress and peaceful coexistence in the nation.
I must reflect back, when he called me from London that he was called to come and contest as a senator when his emirate was carved out from Kwara to Niger State. I was then in the Urban Development Bank plc as a controller legal services in Abuja.
He returned two days to the election and won as senator on the platform of NRC. He never allowed himself to be used for any hidden agenda and it was at that time that he came across the likes of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Abu Ibrahim who was at one time a director with FCDA Abuja. With the demise of that regime, he came back to his Himma Holdings Co. Ltd in Kaduna.
On 3rd February, 2000 after the death of Alhaji Musa Muhammed, he ascended to the throne of his forefathers after a long battle. He remained honest, didn’t discriminate but indulged everyone with the same measure of love and respect that made him a delight.
Dantoro was Borgu and Borgu was Dantoro. It’s not how long one lives but what legacy and impact left behind. I was with the late Dantoro Kitoro III at the airport before he left for Germany for his treatment. Suddenly I just heard the death of the great man. I then called and spoke with his son Nasiru on Friday to get confirmation from him.
It’s necessary for me to confess that he has left a very wide gap in Borgu Kingdom, Niger State, and indeed the country at large. Despite our age differences the late Emir was my guest three times in my home town, Gashua; at far away Yobe and I was a frequent visitor to his kingdom.
I pray whoever succeeds him will see to the completion of his laudable projects; the school which he planned to raise to a university level, the mosque which is completed.
At this stage I want to extend my most sincere and heartfelt condolence to his immediate family, the people of Borgu Kingdom, his admirers within and outside Nigeria, the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, whom I know he met through the late Shehu Musa Yaradua, the leader of APC, Ahmed Bola Tinubu and our amiable President Muhammadu Buhari.
It’s indeed a great loss to the entire nation, his contributions to the development of the nation were unquantifiable.
Dantoro’s contributions towards the emergence of APC through the merger of legacy parties that aided APC’s success at the polls were all indications of his love for the country.
May Allah in his infinite mercy forgive HRH Alhaji Haliru Dantoro Kitoro III and reward him with Jannatul Firdausi.
Allah Ya Jikan Sarki, Ameen.
Amb. Ibrahim Mai-Sule
Turakin Bade
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