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Tens of thousands of people attended the burial of emir of kano Ado Bayero, one of Nigeria's most prominent and revered Muslim leaders.
He was laid to rest today, June 6, according to Islamic rites after the palace funeral at his Nasarawa GRA residence.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Vice President Namadi Sambo, Sultan of Sokoto, FCT Minister Bala Mohammed and the National Security Adviser, Retired Col. Sambo Dasuki, were among the others who attended the Emir's burial, according to NAN.
He was the longest-serving Emir in Kano's history and sought to reduce tensions with
Nigeria's Christians.
He was also a critic of Boko Haram and survived an assassination attempt blamed on the Islamist group last year.
During the emir's 50-year-reign, Nigeria experienced a great deal of turmoil with military coups and unrest but he always stayed out of politics.
The announcement of his death was made by palace officials on Friday morning , and thousands of people then poured into the city, where they gathered on the grounds of the Emir's palace.
Other Emirs, dignitaries and politicians from across the country were also in attendance.
Emir Bayero’s Chief driver, Alhaji Wada Abdulhamidu described the late Emir as a peaceful man.
“I came across the late Emir Ado Bayero when I was 10 years old,” he recalled. “I have been
working for him for over 60 years, now I am 70 years old. I have been the one driving him around. I was with him until he breathed his last. I was just like a younger brother to him. He does not discriminate. He is always calm and peaceful, slow to anger and he accommodates every opinion. He never looked down at people. You hardly can see anything that perturbed the Emir. Based on his teachings to us, we also exhibit friendliness and [togetherness] with people around us. He is a father of all.
The Emir spent his last moment with members of his family after which he left to sleep in his room, but he could not wake up the next morning as he died peacefully in his sleep.”
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