Gov Yahaya mourns as Ajiyan Gombe dies at 94

The Ajiyan Gombe and Senior District Head of Kwami Local Government Area of Gombe State, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi died yesterday at the age of 94.

He died in the early hours at the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Gombe after a protracted illness. The deceased was one of the longest traditional title holders in the Gombe Emirate, having spent over 53 years as District Head of Kwami.

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Late Baba Ajiya, as he was fondly called, was an elder brother of Ambassador Ibrahim Yerima Abdullahi, Sarkin Bai of Gombe, a onetime minister of education and Nigerian Ambassador to Malaysia.

The funeral prayer for the deceased led by the Grand Khadi of Gombe State, Justice Abdullahi Maikano Usman, was held at his palace in Malam Sidi, headquarters of Kwami LGA.

Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya in his condolence message described the passage of the traditional leader as a huge loss to the state and the country.

He said the deceased was an iconic figure, reputable educationist and highly respected leader in the state.

“Throughout his 53 years reign as a district head, late Ajiya was known for preaching peace and championing the course of unity and harmony, not only within his domain but across the entire state,” the governor stated.

Governor Yahaya added that the late traditional leader has left behind a huge vacuum and indelible footprints, adding that the government will surely miss his fatherly guidance and counsels.

He urged the family members to sustain the legacies of honour, dignity and selfless service left by the late leader.