Muhammadu Kabir Umar []]1934-2017]

The demise of the 11th Emir of Katagum Alhaji Muhammadu Kabir Umar penultimate Saturday at the age of 89 robbed Nigeria of one of its most prominent traditional rulers and elder statesmen. He was regarded by many as the last of the titans from the First Republic. He died in his palace in Katagum, Bauchi […]

The demise of the 11th Emir of Katagum Alhaji Muhammadu Kabir Umar penultimate Saturday at the age of 89 robbed Nigeria of one of its most prominent traditional rulers and elder statesmen. He was regarded by many as the last of the titans from the First Republic. He died in his palace in Katagum, Bauchi State after a protracted illness that lasted for over five years.  

The late emir was amiable and a noble monarch, very honest and polite to everyone. He was a complete man of integrity, simplicity and honour. He was well loved by his people because of his dynamic leadership, mild character and towering principles. In his condolence message, President Muhammadu Buhari described the late emir as a symbol of peace, who dedicated himself to the cause of fostering unity around the country. The President noted that Umar was a former Minister of Internal Affairs and legislator in the Northern House of Assembly in the First Republic and later, the Emir of Katagum.

Buhari said the deceased served the country diligently with honour and distinction.

The President said the late emir upheld the culture and traditions of his people during his reign and would be remembered and honoured for his humility. He also said Alhaji Kabir Umar would be remembered for his dignity and profound contributions to national development. Buhari urged all who mourned the monarch to reflect on his worthy services of several decades to his people and the nation. He said they could do this by honouring the deceased’s legacy of strengthening the peaceful co-existence of Nigerians from different tribes and traditions. Similarly, Bauchi State governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar said in his condolence message that the late emir “was upright, just and kept the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). His death is a great loss to not just our state but also Nigeria.”

Born in Katagum in 1934, the late emir received his education at the Bauchi Middle School between 1948 and 1949 after which he went to the then Clerical Training College, now Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria where he studied local government administration between 1950 and 1951. He later proceeded to UK for another course in local government administration. He also attended many courses and seminars within and outside Nigeria all in local government administration. He held various offices such as Native Authority scribe at the Central Office in Azare in 1949 and was then appointed as the District Head of Sakwa between 1952 and 1957. He became the District Head of Katagum in 1955 and in 1966 he was the NA Councilor for Natural Resources and from there he was moved to Shira as the District Head. 

Alhaji Muhammadu Kabir Umar was also Minister of State, Premier’s Office, Kaduna (1957 to 1960), Minister of Internal Affairs, Northern Nigeria (1960 to 1966). He had earlier been elected into the Northern House of Assembly (1952-1966) and was simultaneously appointed parliamentary secretary, Ministry of Land and Survey in 1957. Between 1976 and 1978 he was the chairman of Bauchi State Housing Corporation. In the same year, he was appointed Chairman of Bauchi State Development Board; Chairman, Board of the Governing Council of College of Islamic Legal Studies, Misau [1986-2001]. He was also at different times the Pro-Chancellor, Provisional Council of Federal University of Technology, Yola; Chancellor, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta and Chancellor, University of Calabar.

Indeed, his death at the ripe age of 89 has caused shock waves beyond Katagum emirate. It created a vacuum difficult to fill. But we take solace with the fact that Muhammadu Kabir Umar had lived an exemplary life worth emulating and continue to pray that Almighty Allah bestow His Mercy upon him.