Emir of Zuru in Kebbi State, Major General Muhammadu Sani Sami (Gomo II), has died at the age of 81. General Sami died in a London hospital after a brief illness.
Before his retirement from the Army on September 3, 1990, General Sami was Governor of Bauchi State from January 1984 to August 1985 during the military regime of late President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari.
Born in Zuru, he joined the Nigerian Army on December 10 1962, and attended Mons Officer Cadet School, Aldershot, England and was commissioned on July 25, 1963. As a Lieutenant General, Sami, during the regime of late General Murtala Mohammed from July 1975 to February 1976, was the Commander, Brigade of Guards, Dodan Barracks, Lagos.
General Sami held important appointments including General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division and 1 Division, Nigerian Army; Commandant, Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Infantry and Centre, Jaji, Kaduna; Commandant, Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police; and was the first African to be appointed as Chief of Staff of the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon (UNIFL).
Other major offices held include Principal Joint Staff Officer, Ministry of Defence; Deputy Chief of Defence Staff and Vice Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff; Member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) and Chancellor, Rivers State University of Science and Technology
Kebbi State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Garba Umar-Dutsinmari, confirmed the monarch’s death in a statement on Sunday, expressing “deep sorrow” over the Emir’s passing and extending sympathies to his immediate family, the Zuru Emirate Council, the people of Zuru, and the entire State.
https://e5ca752a3aadcbc31b16c513aaa4bae0.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-45/html/container.html The statement said: “The government prays to Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him Jannatul Firdaus.”
Also, Senator Bala Ibn Na’Allah condoled with the people of Zuru Emirate over the passing of the emir.
In a statement, by his Special Assistance on Media and Publicity, Garba Muhammad Danjarida, Na’Allah described the late Emir as a noble leader who distinguished himself in service to the people of Zuru Emirate and Kebbi State at large.
He said that the loss was not only to the Zuru Emirate but also to the entire nation.
He prayed to Almighty Allah to forgive the late Emir, grant him eternal rest, and give his family, the people of Zuru Emirate, and Kebbi State the fortitude to bear the loss.
Major General Mohammed Sani Sami (rtd) was a highly respected for his military and administrative service including his dedication to public service and traditional leadership, reflecting a unique blend of military discipline, governance experience, and cultural stewardship.
