Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Haliru Dantoro (Kitoro III), is dead, aged 77.
He was said to have died yesterday, in a German hospital after a brief illness.
The late emir is due for burial as soon as his body arrives from Germany.
Kitoro, the third highest ranking traditional ruler in Niger state, was a politician in the Second Republic and the short-lived Third Republic, winning election into the Senate on the platform of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) in 1992.
News of his death got to the state yesterday evening.
He ascended the Borgu Kingdom throne on February 3, 2000, after the death of his predecessor, Alhaji Musa Mohammadu.
Dantoro was the Emir who endowned the National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu the title “Jagaban,” meaning “Leader of Warriors.”
Reacting however, the Niger State Government yesterday described the deceased as a man of exemplary character; humble, respectful, devoted and dedicated to the development of Borgu Kingdom, Niger State and Nigeria in general.
The Niger State Government said he was “highly trustworthy and contributed immensely in fashioning out pragmatic mechanism to improving the existing circumstances of the people of his domain and Nigerlites as a whole.”
It enjoined the people to pray to the Almighty God to grant him eternal rest and also give the family, government and people of Niger State the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
The immediate past governor of the state, Dr. Mu’azu Babagida Aliyu, also commiserated with the people of Niger State and Borgu Kingdom over the death of the Emir, describing him as an exemplary leader and a bridge builder.
Dantoro, he said, was “a great leader and his network of friends extends beyond the shores of Nigeria. He was indeed unique in his leadership and deep in his faith in Allah.
“May his exemplary leadership in promoting peace, unity and progress in Nigeria be remembered as his legacy towards making Nigeria a better place to live.
“I therefore have no doubt that Allah SWT will grant him Aljannah.”
