President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the Dasuki family, the government and people of Sokoto State on the death of the 18th Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki.
Dasuki, 93, father of Colonel Sambo Dasuki (rtd), National Security Adviser (NSA) to former President Goodluck Johnathan, died on Monday night in Abuja.
Sambo Dasuki is in detention in Abuja over the disbursement of $2.1 billion arms fund.
The Secretary, Sultanate Council of Sokoto, Alhaji Umar Faruk, confirmed the death in a statement in Sokoto on Monday night.
It said that the remains would be buried at the Hubbaren Shehu, Sokoto, after the afternoon prayer (Zuhr) on Tuesday.
The statement added that the funeral prayer of the late Dasuki would be conducted at the Sultan Bello Juma’at Mosque in Sokoto.
He was the Sultan of Sokoto between November 6, 1988 and April 20, 1996.
He was deposed in 1996 during the military regime of the late Gen. Sani Abacha.
Prior to becoming the Sultan, he held the traditional title of Baraden Sokoto.
Dasuki was the first Sultan from the Buhari line of the House of Dan Fodio.
He was influential in the founding of Jama’atu Nasril Islam and had held many positions in government.
In his condolence message signed by Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Buhari also commiserated with the Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI) and the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs over the demise of the remarkable traditional ruler.
The president noted that the deceased devoted his life and tenure of office to the promotion of peaceful coexistence and tolerance among diverse ethnic groups in Nigeria.
Buhari, therefore, joined them in mourning the passing of one of “Nigeria’s most powerful voices for peace and unity in diversity”.
He said the traditional ruler diligently kept faith with the virtues of the Sardauna whom he had served as a public servant.
According to the president, the late Dasuki will be long remembered for his role in the creation of the present local government system in the country.
“He will also be remembered for his role in modernising the traditional institution to bring it in tune with changing times,” he said.
The president also paid tribute to his contributions to national peace and development, particularly his significant role in producing the report that gave birth to the current local government councils.
He prayed that almighty Allah would comfort the family of his Eminence, grant the deceased eternal rest and reward his good virtues with Paradise.
Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State described Dasuki as a pioneer reformist who deployed his wide knowledge of Islam and vast experience as a technocrat to make profound impact on his family, community and the nation at large.
Tambuwal said this in a message of condolence on Tuesday in Sokoto.
“At every stage of his life, Sultan Dasuki gave his all to ensure communal harmony and educational development of the citizenry.
“For the eight years he spent on the throne as Sultan of Sokoto, he gave priority attention to the educational development of our people by promoting adult and women literacy in all parts of Sokoto.
“He equally paid attention to the revitalisation of religious education, especially among Imams of various mosques in the Caliphate.
“In addition, he will be remembered for formulating workable framework for the prevention and management of inter-communal clashes in Nigeria. His untiring effort in ending the Tiv, Jukun and Fulani skirmish in Taraba State particularly stands out.
“In his later years, Sultan Dasuki dedicated his life to mentoring young Nigerians on aspect of leadership, public administration and community service.
“He became a repository of knowledge always willing to share his experience with whoever sought it. He will be greatly missed.”
While praying to Almighty Allah to grant Sultan Dasuki paradise, Tambuwal said the people and government of Sokoto State will continue to cherish the deceased’s contributions to the development of the Caliphate and the state at large.
The governor sent his commiserations to Sultan Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar and late Sultan Dasuki’s family over the painful loss.
A renowned Islamic scholar, Dr Ahmad Gumi, on Tuesday described Dasuki as a reformist, progressive and goodhearted person.
Gumi spoke on Tuesday in Kaduna.
“We have lost a father. The nation has lost a father figure and one of the last few standing pillars of an ending era.
“His concerns were genuine; his advices were candid and true; humble in triumph and magnanimous in trials.
“The first Sultan without concubines and who shakes the hands of his subjects and abhor to be bowed unto.
“A reformist of the traditional institution. A progressive and goodhearted person. The Sultan of the Sunnah of our blessed Prophet – alaihis salam.
“May Allah give us and his family the solace of this monumental loss, may Allah have His mercy on him and forgive him his shortcomings; may Allah Guide us all after him,” Gumi said.
A Senior Counselor in the Sultanate Council of Sokoto, Alhaji Hassan Danbaba, described Dasuki as a pious and committed leader.
Danbaba, who is also the Magajin Garin Sokoto, was reacting to the death of Dasuki on Monday night at an Abuja hospital after a protracted illness.
According to Danbaba, ”The late Dasuki was a peace lover and a peace maker in Nigeria and beyond. He had worked meritoriously to ensure national development and cohesion. His death is a great loss not only to his family, Sokoto State, but Nigeria as a whole.”
In his reaction, the former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aliyu Wamakko (APC-Sokoto), described Dasuki as, “a gentleman who lived a life of total service to humanity.
“He was a man of God and a man of Peace,” Wamakko, who represents Sokoto Central Senatorial District, added.
Another Senior Counselor in the Sultanate and Galadiman Gari, Alhaji Aliyu Attahiru, said the death of Dasuki was a great loss to his family, the Muslim Ummah and the entire nation.
The Gwandu Emirate Council in Kebbi described Dasuki as a great Nigerian who worked for the unity of the country.
The Waziri of Gwandu, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar, said on Tuesday that the deceased had also worked tirelessly to unite the northern traditional institutions.
He said that Dasuki had offered selfless service to Nigeria and worked for peaceful coexistence across the country, even after he was deposed as the Sultan in 1996.
The Wazirin Gwandu said Dasuki had played enviable role in the emergence of modern local government administration, establishment of commercial banks among others.
“The former Sultan was a bridge builder who strived hard to unite the traditional institutions as well as ensure peaceful coexistence.
“He never relented in giving advice and support to leaders on the unity of the country even after he was removed as the Sultan in 1996.”
In a related development, Mallam Sallah, a resident of Birnin Kebbi, said the late Sultan would be remembered as a selfless leader who led by example and was great source of inspiration to the youths.
He said the death of Dasuki was a great loss to the country, considering his contributions in policy formulation and the inspirational leadership he offered in his life time.
Another resident, Alhaji Abubakar Birnin Kebbi, said Dasuki’s death was “a monumental loss of a great leader” who contributed immensely to the development of the country.
Alhaji Idris Mai-Unguwa, the Chairman, All farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), in Jigawa State, described Dasuki as a visionary and purposeful leader.
Mai-Unguwa said this on Tuesday in Hadejia.
He said that the death of the elder statesman was a great loss to Nigeria in view of his contributions to the social and economic development of the country.
“The late Dasuki was a visionary leader who contributed to building a better Nigeria.
“He served in various capacities and enjoined peace and unity in the country,” he said.
Mai-Unguwa prayed Allah to grant the deceased mercy and to give his family and the Sultanate the fortitude to bear the loss.
In his contribution, Malam Isa Jubril, an Islamic cleric, described Dasuki as a devout Muslim who dedicated his life to promoting the teachings of Islam.
“As head of the Muslim community, he engaged in the propagation of Islam and promotion of religious tolerance in the society.”
Also commenting, Alhaji Sadi Aminu, a civil society activist, said that late Dasuki encouraged philanthropy and the growth of community development organisations to improve the lives of the less privileged in the society.
He recalled that the late Sultan served as the Secretary General of the Jama’atul Nasrul Islam for many years and ensured the provision of care, charity and support services to the vulnerable.
