President Muhammadu Buhari has described the death of two Borno Emirs – the Shehu of Bama, Shehu Kyari Ibn Umar El-Kanemi and the Emir of Biu, Mai Umar Mustapha Aliyu, in a rapid succession as a “rare double tragedy.”
President Buhari’s remarks were contained in separate letters of condolence delivered to Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State and the Shehu of Borno, Shehu Abubakar Ibn-Umar Garbai El-Kanemi by a government delegation led by Malam Adamu Adamu, the Minister of Education.
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The President, in a statement issued on Tuesday by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, said “such a rare tragedy is especially painful for the people of Borno and Nigeria at large.”
President Buhari, in the letters, said that; “their contributions to keeping the peace and stability in their respective Emirates especially in the wake of recent years of violence and disturbances caused by Boko Haram have been appreciated by the government and people of Nigeria.
“Their exemplary leadership in the face of adversity is worthy of emulation by their successors.”
The leader of the delegation lauded Governor Zulum for doing so much in the face of personal danger to make peace and safety of his people his number one agenda.
On his part, Zulum urged the delegation to convey the gratitude and appreciation of the government and people of Borno State to President Buhari for his love, respect and caring attitude towards the state and its people.