From Melvin Uche, Maiduguri
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum Wednesday morning arrived Biu town following the demise of the emir of Biu, Umar Mustapha Aliyu to sympathise with Biu Emirate and entire people of Borno state.
Zulum was scheduled to attend the burial of the late monarch on Tuesday but had to abort the trip at a military base due to bad weather under which a chopper could not fly.
The deputy governor, Umar Kadafur, who hails from Biu, had left by road early yesterday, Tuesday to take charge of affairs ahead of Zulum’s arrival.
Zulum departed Maiduguri early today in company of the Senator representing Southern Borno, Mohammed Ali Ndume, State APC Chairman, Ali Bukar Dalori, few members of the state executive council who hail from the southern part of Borno State among others.
Zulum described the late emir as a person of proven integrity and a first class traditional ruler who ruled with absolute honesty and fear of Almighty Allah.
The Governor said the lost is a huge one not only to people of Biu but the entire state explaning that through out his reign, the royal father has played key role in the promoting peace and unity in his dormain.
Appointed June 1989 as 28th emir of Biu, the late Umar Mustapha died on Tuesday at the age of 80.
The late emir was born on the 9th of November 1940 in Biu, and worked with the public service before ascending the throne in 1989.
He left behind four wives, dozens of children, and over 200 grandchildren.
Meanwhile , Yobe State Governor , Mai Mala Buni, has condoled with the government and people of Borno state over the death of the Emir of Biu, Mai Umar Mustapha Aliyu .
A statement issued by Mamman Mohammed, Director General Media and Press to the Governor, described the late emir as a man of peace who worked all his life promoting peace and peaceful coexistence in his emirate, Borno state and Nigeria.
“Biu emirate has recorded peaceful coexistence with unprecedented developments during his reign of 30 years on the throne.The late Emir had during his time also promoted pursuit of education among youth and encouraged his subjects to be self-reliant through agricultural production.
“He will be remembered for his principle of justice, fairness, and equity to the people throughout the period he occupied the throne. Our condolences goes to the Biu royal family, the emirate council and the entire people of the emirate over this monumental loss,” Mohammed said.
The statement added that Governor Buni on behalf of himself, government and the good people of Yobe state prayed Allah to grant the soul of the late emir rest in Al Jannatur Firdaus and to the government and people of Borno state the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
