Alhaji Abbas Sanusi, the most senior councillor and oldest member of the Kano Emirate Council has been buried.
Daily Trust reported that the late prince, who held the title of Galadiman Kano, died on April 1 in Kano after a prolonged illness, at the age of 92.
His funeral prayer was observed at the Kano Emir’s palace, Kofar Kudu, and was buried at the Gandun Albasa cemetery on Wednesday.
In attendance were Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf; the Kano State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Abbas; Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso; the 16th emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II; members of the State House of Assembly led by the speaker, Jibril Ismail Falgore and other top government officials.
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Abbas Sanusi had been a member of the Kano Emirate Council since the late 1950s.
He was first appointed as Sarkin Dawakin Tsakar Gida and district head of Ungogo by his father, Emir Sanusi I, in 1959.
In 1962, during the reign of Emir Muhammadu Inuwa, he was elevated to the position of Dan Iyan Kano. Later, under Emir Ado Bayero, he became the Wambai of Kano.
His most senior title, Galadiman Kano, was conferred on him during the first reign of his nephew, Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II.
Born in 1933 in Bichi, Abbas Sanusi began his education at Kofar Kudu Elementary School in 1944 before attending Kano Middle School (now Rumfa College) in 1948.
Among his children is Abdullahi Abbas, the current chairman of the Kano chapter of APC.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his condolence message expressed grief over the passing of the Galadiman Kano.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy in a statement described the deceased as a strong pillar of the traditional institution, its survival and development.
The president said the services of the late Sanusi, a titleholder since 1959, would be appreciated far beyond Kano Emirate and Kano State.
President Tinubu condoled with the government and people of Kano State, the Kano Emirate Council and the family of the late traditional ruler for the irreparable loss.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari on his part said he received with sadness, the news of the death of Galadiman Kano.
The former president said “Kano, indeed the nation has lost a stabilizer and a moderating voice in the rapidly transforming society that Kano is.
“The Galadima was the effective link between the past and the present; an embodiment of institutional memory and traditions who was key to the governance and the administration of the royal palace. Abbas Sunusi is irreplaceable. May his soul rest in peace.”
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, who was also present at the burial, described the deceased as an elder statesman par excellence whose contributions to the growth and development of Kano emirate and Kano State cannot be overemphasised.
Senator Barau, in a statement by his media aide, Ismail Mudashir, enjoined the family of the late prince to find solace in the fact that he was a devout Muslim who spent his life and resources worshipping Allah SWT and assisting humanity.
Also, the Kano State government, in a statement issued by the Commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, described the loss as a huge tragedy, not only to the emirate but to the state and the entire people of Kano.
Meanwhile, the state government has cancelled the Sallah homage by emirs to the state governor over the death of the Galadiman Kano.
In a post on his social media platform, the governor’s spokesman, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa said, “The Rano and Karaye emirates’ Sallah homage has been cancelled following the death of Galadiman Kano.”
