Sultan of Sokoto mourns passing of Emir of Gumel
By KEMI KASUMU
“The late Emir was a distinguished scholar, a man of wisdom and a father to all. He devoted his life to the service of his people and to the promotion of peace, education and the preservation of our cherished cultural and traditional values.”
The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, has received with profound grief and a deep sense of loss the sad news of the passing of His Royal Highness, Alhaji (Dr.) Ahmed Muhammad Sani II, CON, the Emir of Gumel in Jigawa State.
His Eminence the Sultan extends his heartfelt condolences and that of the Sultanate, his family and the entire Nigerian Muslim Ummah to the immediate family of the late Emir, the Gumel Emirate Council, the Government and good people of Jigawa State, the Northern Traditional Rulers Council (NTRC), and all those who mourn this great loss.
The revered Emir departed this world on Thursday, September 3, 2026, in Cairo, Egypt, after a remarkable and distinguished reign of 46 years. His Royal Highness, who ascended the ancient throne of Gumel on December 16, 1980, had devoted nearly half a century to the service of his people, the preservation of the rich heritage of the Emirate, and the advancement of peace, unity, education and community development.
In his condolence message, signed by Prince Bashir Adefaka on behalf of Media Team of the Sultan of Sokoto and dated Friday, 22 Rabi’ul Awwal 1448 AH equivalent to September 4, 2026, His Eminence the Sultan described the late Emir as a distinguished scholar, a repository of wisdom and a father figure to his people, whose departure constitutes a great loss to the Gumel Emirate, Jigawa State, the traditional institution and the entire Muslim Ummah.
The Sultan said, “On behalf of myself, my family and the Sultanate, I extend my deepest condolences to the immediate family of His Royal Highness, the Gumel Emirate Council, the Government and good people of Jigawa State, the Northern Traditional Rulers Council and the entire Muslim Ummah over this painful and irreparable loss.
“The late Emir was a distinguished scholar, a man of wisdom and a father to all. He devoted his life to the service of his people and to the promotion of peace, education and the preservation of our cherished cultural and traditional values.
“His Royal Highness carried the responsibilities of the revered throne of Gumel with dignity, humility and unwavering commitment. His 46 years on the throne constitute a remarkable chapter in the history of the Emirate and will remain a lasting testimony to his dedication to his people and to the traditional institution.
“His departure is indeed a great loss. We shall greatly miss his wisdom, counsel, fatherly disposition and invaluable contributions to the peace, unity and development of our communities.
“We submit to the will of Almighty Allah, Who gives life and takes it at the appointed time. We therefore pray that Allah SWT, in His infinite mercy, forgives the shortcomings of the departed Emir, accepts his good deeds, rewards his years of service to humanity and grants him Al-Jannatul Firdaus.
“We further pray that Almighty Allah grants his family, the Gumel Emirate Council, the people of Jigawa State and the entire Muslim Ummah the sabr, strength and fortitude to bear this great and irreplaceable loss.
“May Allah SWT illuminate his grave, make it spacious and peaceful, and admit him into Jannatul Firdaus in the company of our departed parents, relatives and loved ones. Amiin.”
His Eminence the Sultan urged the people of Gumel Emirate and Jigawa State to remain steadfast in faith and prayer at this difficult moment, while upholding the values of peace, unity, dignity and service to humanity for which the late Emir was widely respected.
