“It is not where you were born and how you were born that determines your future, but how
you lead and spent your valuable time”. – Nuhu Muhammad Sunusi
By Isah Aliyu Chiroma
We could not have imagined that day when the late king was summoned by the cold hands of death, was neither imaginable nor predictable. It was a tragic news that made headlines, and the silence was broken by voices whispering in sorrow for the huge loss. A loss not only to his family or the emirate, but also to the whole northern Nigeria. The fact that a leader is taken away from his loved ones has shocked the people.
A sense of loss pervaded the nation as news of the passing of the late Emir of Dutse, Nuhu Muhammad Sanusi, spread. The emirate council received condolences from all around the world. From his early years to adulthood, he developed a reputation that is full of vital lessons that future generations will use as a mirror for direction towards a better future.
Growing up in the village of Yar’gaba, he experienced periods of hopelessness and despair as well as moments of achievement, which gave him the motivation to always look forward in life. Even though people tend to be shaped by the environments in which they grow up, he never let his upbringing affect him or his pursuit of his goals. He left the security of his family and siblings at a young age to seek education, which lead him to a new life. a future with hope and a promising life. He was an average student at school, but through dedication and hard work, he was able to maximize his limitations and quickly make up for his shortcomings. Growing up, this gave him a sense of individuality and provided him with opportunities to pursue higher education.
After the passing of his father, it was difficult for him to accept the decision to name him the new emir. “When my name was mentioned as the next Emir of Dutse,” he recalled, “I was under immense anxiety and confusion.” Given how different his family was, he hoped that his older brother (Galadima) would be given a chance to contribute to the family’s unity. He is, however, without an option because the announcement and the decision have already been made. For the new king, it was a time of change and reform, problems of leadership, and accepting the outcome of a new duty.
Every person has a hope for his or her society, and when the chance to contribute arises, you make your vision a reality to see it come true. He started by bringing the populace together since he knew that this was the only way for growth to succeed. He was able to convey words of love, peace, and unity, all of which were crucial in forming a society of people who desired progress.
Because of the necessity for it in the society, he considered education reform to be a major priority. Having had the chance to reach the pinnacle of education, he is well aware of its significance and the crucial role it will play in society. As he put it, “Education not only serves as a prerequisite for economic growth and development, but it also sustains the growth of the human and social species.” And in doing so, he maintained his reformation over many years, transforming Dutse into a world-class community where you would want to live out your days.
Beyond being held in high regard, the late monarch was also seen as being sincerely religious, a leader who cared about his people, and a person who worked to provide them a brighter future. Undoubtedly, the Dutse emirate has lost a hero, a leader who always wanted what was best for his people and left a legacy of devotion. Our faces are buried in the earth as we offer prayers and condolences to the Jigawa family and community for the tragic loss of a distinctive leader. His legacy and memory will endure forever, and history will treat him fairly even as people around the world call for his demise.
Allah ya jikan sarki!
