Buhari, Gombe gov mourn Emir of Funakaye

The Emir of Funakaye in Gombe State, Alhaji Mu’azu Muhammad Kwairanga, has died Saturday evening at the age of 43.

A statement issued by the Funakaye Local Government Council and the Emirate Council said the late emir died suddenly few minutes to 12am on Saturday, shortly after retiring to bed in what medical doctors said was a heart failure.

• 2022: How INEC result portal ‘ll shape polls
• Leveraging Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) for food security

Our correspondent reports that the deceased’s last public function was on Saturday in Gombe where he attended the flag-off of the distribution of food items to vulnerable groups by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami.

He was said to have held a meeting with officials of Funakaye branch of the Jama’atul Izalatul Bidi’a Wa Ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS) at the palace until Magrib prayer, which he observed in congregation at the palace mosque.

“He later retired to his bed, but around 12am, the sad news was relayed to us,” a palace source stated.

He was survived by one wife and five children.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya have expressed sadness over the death of the emir.

The president, in a message to the family of the deceased, the government and people of Gombe State, described the deceased as “a most committed, most articulate advocate of the less privileged who endeared himself to many with his politeness, kindness and commitment to the well-being of his people.

“His demise has left me as well as many others saddened. He loved working for the common people. He was a proud and dedicated citizen.

Yahaya in his own condolence message, described the demise of the emir as a monumental loss not only to the emirate but the entire state and the nation.

He described the late emir as a humble, decent and down to earth monarch who cared for his subjects as well as the unity and progress of the state.