Bello, Buhari, Tinubu, others bid late Borgu emir farewell

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The remains of late Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Haliru Dantoro Kitoro III (Mai Borgu), was buried in New Bussa, Niger State on Sunday.


Tears freely flowed on the faces of some of the late Emir's subjects, some well-wishers and mourners, who came from far and near to attend the burial ceremony.


The Emir, who was a former Minister and ex-senator, died on Friday in a German hospital at the age of 77.
His corpse was flown to New Bussa by Arik Air plane with registration number 5N-JEA, at 11.00 a.m.


The corpse was received by Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, and his Kebbi counterpart, Atiku Bagudu.


After about twenty minutes airport formalities, the corpse was brought out of the plane in a brown mahogany casket.


While some of the crowd who gathered in large number pushed forward in attempt to touch the casket, some of them broke down in tears when they sighted the casket.


Some of the crowd at the Emir's Palace broke down in tears when the corpse arrived in Nigeria Airforce Ambulance with plate nember AF 221 BO1 around 11:45 a.m.


The whole town of New Bussa stood still for the late Emir as most churches in the area had short Sunday services in honour of the Emir.


Markets and shops were also closed just as security was very tight in the town.


President Mohammadu Buhari and a National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) , Asiwaju Bola Tinubu arrived the late Emir's parace by 2:12p.m.


The President did not speak with journalists at the brief ceremony Tinubu, who is the Jagaban of Borgu, joined other eminent Nigerians to bid the late Emir farewell.


Tinubu, who was clad in cream-coloured agbada and brown cap and shoes to match, spoke with journalists at the Borgu Kingdom.


Tinubu said: "He was a very close friend and compatriot, and his death is a very personal loss to me. Particularly, it was very painful when I saw him on Wednesday, he was looking radiant and ready to come back home.


"And this sudden death is a great loss to the country. He is a patriot and a committed democrat and a valued Nigeria and a true leader of his people, not just limited to this Kingdom but across Africa. He is a bridge builder and a unifier," Tinubu said.


A funeral prayer was held before the late Emir was buried in the palace. The prayer was led by Chief Imam of New Bussa, Alhaji Ahmed Shehu.

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