Emir of Tikau dead; Buni, Dogara mourn

The Emir of Tikau in Yobe, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Ibn Grema, is dead.

In a statement by the Tikau Emirate Council signed by Alhaji Aliyu Bagare, the Madakin Tikau, the emir died in Potiskum on Friday after a brief illness.

“It is with utmost and total submission to the will of Allah the Almighty that we announce the passing away of his royal highness and Mai Tikau, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Abubakar Ibn Grema, LL.D.

“He was the Mai Tikau from July 25, 2001 to May 10, 2024.

“The Mai died after a brief illness at the Specialist Hospital, Potiskum at the age of 73.

“May Allah Subuhanahu wa ta’ala, in his infinite mercy, grant him eternal rest,” Bagare said.

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Meanwhile, the Yobe State governor, Mai Mala Buni, is mourning the passing of the Emir of Tikau, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Ibn Grema, describing his death as a great loss to the Emirate, the state and the country.

According to a statement by Mamman Mohammed, the director-general, press and media affairs to the governor; Governor Buni attended the funeral prayer for the late emir at his palace in Sabon Garin Nangere on Saturday, alongside top government officials, including the Speaker of the Yobe State House of Assembly, Ciroma Buba Mashio and Senator Mohammed Ibrahim Bomoi.

The governor praised the late emir as a peace-loving leader who was fair, just and committed to the development of his people and the emirate.

He prayed to the Almighty Allah to grant his soul eternal rest in Aljannatu Firdaus and to give his family and the people of the emirate the strength to bear the loss.

The funeral was attended by hundreds of mourners who came to pay their respect to the late emir.

Similarly, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, expressed shock over the death of the emir.

Dogara, who holds the traditional title of Jarman Tikau, in a message said, “His death is a huge loss, not just to Yobe State but the entire country.

“He was a patriot, a father to all, man of peace, renowned educationist and an advocate of sustainable development through his advocacy for tree planting to curb desertification.

“He was a man who showed love to all, irrespective of regional or political affiliation. It was under his leadership that people from different parts of the country, including me, were recognised and conferred with prestigious traditional titles, which helped to foster national unity and social cohesion,” he added.