The remains of late Emir of Ningi , Alhaji Yunusa Mohammed Danyaya was laid to rest according to Islamic rites in Ningi, Sunday, 25th August 2024 aged 88.
By Abdulwahab Muhammad Bauchí
Alhaji Dr.Yunusa Muhammad Danyaya died in the early hours of Sunday,25th, August 2024, after a protracted illness at a hospital in Kano.
The funeral prayers were led by the Chief Imam of Ningi,Dr Muhammad Umar at the Emir’s Palace, Ningi, and attended by thousands of mourners, within and outside Bauchi.
Governors who attended the funeral prayers include Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, Former Governors of Bauchi Ahmadu Mu'azu and Jigawa Sule Lamido Senator Abdul Ningi, Emir of Bauchi Alhaji Rilwanu Suleimanu Adamu Emir of Katagum Umar Faruk II, National and State lawmakers among others.
In a condolence, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Muhammed of Bauchí State,said the late monarch lived a life of selfless service and offered counsel and fatherly guidance for the peace, unity and development of the state"
Governor Bala Mohammed described the late Emir as a father who demonstrated the highest value of leadership, fostering unity, progress and development not only within the Ningi Emirate and Bauchi State but the country at large.
He said the late emir will be remembered as a father to all, a pillar of strength, and a beacon of light in our state.
He prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the deceased internal rest and for the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
People of Ningi Emirate said His death has left an irreplaceable void in the hearts of the people of Ningi emirate , Bauchi State, and Nigeria as a whole.
They described Alhaji Yunusa Muhammad Danyaya as a man of peace, wisdom, and immense dedication to the welfare of his people. Throughout his reign, he exhibited the highest values of leadership, fostering unity, progress, and development across the Ningi Emirate. His legacy as a guardian of tradition, culture, and Islamic values will continue to inspire future generations.
Late Emir of Ningi Alhaji Yunusa Muhammadu Danyaya, was installed on 27th January 1978 and captained forty Six years on the throne, Emir Danyaya has become the longest reigning emir in the history of Ningi Emirate.
Born in 1936, the emir had an illustrious working career before ascending the throne of his forebears. First, he attended the Ningi Elementary School, between 1941 and 1946, then Bauchi Middle School from 1946 to 1951 before proceeding to the School of Hygiene, Kano the same year. He later went to the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and earned a diploma in Public Administration. He had a distinguished working record during the Native Authority (NA) period even though he started as a dispenser at Nasaru Dispensary, Ningi. He was a member of the Ningi Emirate Council from 1956 to 1960, counselor for the Medical and Health Department from 1958 to 1959 and member of the Ningi NA Outer Council between 1954 and 1956. Emir Danyaya was counselor, Works, Police and Prisons from 1959 to 1960 and member, Ningi NA Strong Room controllers between 1956 and 1960. In 1959, he was turbaned District Head and Chiroman Ningi, beginning his voyage in royalty. But his love for a career was so strong that in 1963, he joined the Nigerian Tobacco Company, Zaria, as a welfare officer serving until 1967. He got employed by the then Northern Nigeria Marketing Board as Assistant Marketing Officer and was later made Assistant Manager in-charge of Gusau and Kaura Namoda in 1968. His hard work soon showed and he was promoted to the position of Manager, Maiduguri Groundnut depot in 1969 and in 1970, he was appointed Sub-Area Manager in-charge of Gombe, Biu and Kumo. However, he was transferred in 1974 and was eventually in charge of Yola, Mubi and Mambila. In 1976, he was appointed acting Area Manager in-charge of North-Eastern states Marketing Board. Due to his experience, he served as Chairman, Asset Sharing Committee, between Northern States and Benue and Plateau Marketing Boards. He is an active member of Jama’atu Nasrul Islam and a member of its Finance and General Purpose and Zakkat Committees. He was a member of the National Council of States representing Bauchi State Council of Chiefs from 1979 to 1983 and served as Acting Chairman, Board of Directors of the defunct Inland Bank Nigeria Plc between 1988 and 1991. He also served as a Director, Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority between 1989 and 1991. Besides, the emir was a member of the National Constitutional Conference between 1994 and 1995 and member of the Traditional Rulers Sub-committee of Vision 2010 committee between 1996 and 1997. He has been the Chairman, Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON) since 2004 and Chairman, Bauchi State Inter-Religious Council since 2005. The emir was appointed Bauchi State Amirul Hajj in 2022.He was conferred with the National Honour of the Officer of the Order of the Niger, (OON).
May his soul rest in perfect Peace
End.