By Bode Olushegun
The Shehu of Dikwa, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Muhammad El-Kanemi II, is dead.
The Shehu of Dikwa is a first class throne and one of the most prominent in Borno State.
A statement on Saturday announcing his demise by the Borno State Commissioner of Information, Babakura Abba-Jato read: “His Royal Highness, the Shehu of Dikwa Alhaji Muhammad ibn Masta El-Kanemi II, has answered the call of the l Almghty Allah in the early hours of today (Saturday) in Abuja.”
The deceased, born In 1946, was crowned as the Shehu of Dikwa after another emirate was created out of the then Dikwa Emirate in 2008.
According to the statement the late Shehu, a seasoned school administrator, civil servant and politician, died in a private hospital after a protracted illness.
The statement said his body was expected in Maiduguri from Abuja.
He left behind wives, children and many relatives.
Abba-Jato disclosed that the governor of the state, Prof. Babagana Zulum has had to cut short his official engagements in Southern Borno in honour of the departed monarch.
He said: “He (the governor) has prayed to the Almighty Allah for the repose of his soul, his family and to give the entire Dikwa emirate fortitude to bear the loss as the royal father’s death is a loss to the entire state and the country at large.”
As of the time of filing this report, officials of the state government led by the governor were preparing for the Shehu’s funeral scheduled for 5 pm Sunday.
it was however not clear if the funeral would be held in Maiduguri or in Dikwa, some kilemoteres away from Maiduguri.
Meanwhile, Senator Kashim Shettima, immediate past governor of Borno, now Senator representing Borno central, part of which is the late Shehu’s territory, has joined leaders in condoling with the family and people of Dikwa over the loss.
Shettima said. “He (the late monarch) is the last of the great Titans; one of the torchbearers of education in the Region; an Icon of stability, maturity, exemplary leadership and generosity of spirit in Borno and Nigeria as a whole.”
He said: “My condolences go to the family, Dikwa Emirate & the Government and People of Borno State.”
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
