His Royal Highness, Alhaji Yunusa Muhammad Danyaya (OON), the Emir of Ningi in Bauchi State Northeastern Nigeria , has passed away.
The monarch, who had been receiving medical treatment in Kano due to age-related health issues, died in the early hours of Sunday.
The late Emir will be laid to rest later on Sunday evening at 4 PM, following a funeral prayer at the Emir’s Palace in Ningi.
The announcement of his death was made by the Secretary of the Emirate, Alhaji Usman Sule, Magayakin Ningi, in a brief statement written in Hausa.
The statement reads, “Innalillahi Wa’innan Ilaihir Raji’un. Allah yayiwa mai Martaba Sarkin Ningi, Dr. Yunusa Muhammadu Dan Yaya (OON), rasuwa da asubahin yau, Lahadi a Kano. Za a yi jana’iza da karfe Hudu na yamma a kofar Fada. Sanarwa daga Sakataren Fada, Alhaji Usman Sule, Magayakin Ningi.”
Born in Ningi in 1936, Alhaji Yunusa Muhammad Danyaya was a distinguished first-class traditional ruler in the North East Geographical Zone. As the Emir of Ningi, he was revered for his sense of justice, fairness, and equity, qualities that endeared him to his subjects. Under his leadership, Ningi experienced significant transformation from a rural community into a modern town.
Alhaji Yunusa’s educational journey began at Ningi Elementary School (1941-1946) and continued at Bauchi Middle School, where he completed his studies in 1951. He furthered his education at the School of Hygiene, Kano, and later attended Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, where he completed a course in Public Administration (1956-1957). He also studied at the British Council, Kano, between 1959 and 1960, and earned a diploma in public administration from ABU Zaria between 1960 and 1962.
His career in the Native Authority (NA) Administration began as a dispenser at Nasaru Dispensary, Ningi, from 1953 to 1958. He served in various roles, including as a member of the Ningi Emirate Council, Councilor of the Medical and Health Department, and District Head and Chiroman Ningi.
In 1963, Alhaji Yunusa joined the Nigerian Tobacco Company in Zaria as a welfare officer and later worked at the Northern Nigeria Marketing Board, where he held several managerial positions. He was appointed Sub-Area Manager in charge of Gombe, Biu, and Kumo in 1970, and later served as the Acting Area Manager in charge of the North Eastern States Marketing Board in 1976.
Alhaji Yunusa was crowned Emir of Ningi in 1978 and elevated to first-class status in 1998. He held significant roles in various organizations, including Jama’atul Nasril Islam (JNI) and the National Council of States, representing the Bauchi State Council of Chiefs from 1979 to 1983. He also served as Acting Chairman, Board of Directors of Inland Bank Nigeria Plc, and Director of the Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority.
His contributions to national development earned him numerous awards, including the National Honours Award as “Officer of the Order of Niger (OON)” and various merit awards from different organizations.
