Another traditional ruler dies abroad as Emir of Borgu passes away in German hospital

BORGU's traditional ruler Alhaji Haliru Dantoro Kitoro III has passed away at a private hospital in Germany after been flown abroad for emergency treatment following the contracting of an illness.

 

Coming on the back of the recent death of the Ooni of Ife, the passing of the Borgu kingdom paramount ruler is the latest in the case of Nigerian monarchs dying while receiving medical attention abroad. Earlier this year, the Ooni of Ife Oba Okunade Sijuwade passed away with getting healthcare in a private London clinic.

 

Confirming his death, Alhaji Umar Nasko, a family member and the Niger State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the last election, said he received the news with shock. He affirmed that Alhaji Kitoro, 77, died in Germany after a brief illness.

 

Alhaji Nasko said: “The emir, by all intent and purpose, referred to me as my son and so in him I lost a father figure. I will continue to cherish his words of advice to me and will pray Allah to host his gentle soul in Aljannah firdaousi.”

 

Alhaji Kitoro was elected a senator in 1992 on the platform of the defunct National Republican Convention and became emir of Borgu on February 26, 2002, after the demise of Isiaku Musa Jikantoro. The third highest ranking traditional ruler in Niger State, he  is due for burial as soon as his body arrives from Germany.

 

Yesterday, the Niger State government described the late emir as s a man of exemplary character, humble, respectful, devoted and dedicated to the development of Borgu Kingdom, Niger State and Nigeria in general. A government spokesman said he was highly trustworthy and contributed immensely in fashioning out pragmatic mechanisms to improve the existing circumstances of the people of his domain and Nigerlites as a whole.

 

Former Niger State governor Dr Mu’azu Babagida Aliyu, described the late emir as an exemplary leader and a bridge builder. Borgu is uniquely placed in Nigeria in that it is the bridge between Yorubaland of the southwest and the Hausa-Fulani old Sokoto Caliphate of the northwest.

 

Historically, Borgu has played a prominent role in the fashioning of modern Nigeria as former Alaafin of Oyo were known to take wives from there. It used to be part of Kwara State but on August 27 1991 it was transferred to Niger State as part of a wider state creation exercise across the country.