By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo
Death is an inevitable transaction and it would come at an appointed time for whose time is ripe. It was the turn of Sarkin Gobir of Ilorin, Captain Muhammad Ahmad Yusuf-Gobir on Saturday, 12th October, 2024. The Chief Press Secretary to Kwara State Governor, Rafiu Ajakaye announced the news of his death. There is no doubt that he was an astute family man and a great community leader.
Being a traditional title holder in Ilorin Emirate, many prominent sons of the Emirate have been paying tribute to the late Sarkin Gobir of Ilorin.
The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu Gambari CFR in a condolence message released by his spokesman, Abdulazeez Arowona described the the deceased as a gentle and loyal traditional Chief who has used his wealth of experience to unite the people within his domain and beyond. The Emir prayed Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds and grant him aljannah firdaus.
In a similar message issued by his spokesperson, Rafiu Ajakaye, the Executive Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq described Sarkin Gobir’s death as a personal loss to him, stressing that the deceased was his childhood friend. The Governor commended his fine legacies as an illustrious technocrat and administrator who oversaw an impressive turnaround of Ilorin International Aviation College within a very short time. According to Ajakaye, “Governor Abdulrazaq asks Allah to admit him to al-jannah Firdaus and uphold his family upon goodness.”
In the same vein, the Turaki of Ilorin and the Senator representing Kwara Central in the 10th Senate, Mallam Saliu Mustapha also expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Sarkin Gobir of Ilorin Emirate and Chairman of Ilorin International Aviation College. He condoled with HRH Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, Kwara State Government and the entire Ilorin Emirate for the loss of a great leader whose contributions to the community and aviation industry will be forever remembered. The Turaki of Ilorin also commiserated with the family of the deceased, praying for strength and fortitude for them during this difficult time. The federal lawmaker prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the deceased eternal rest and forgive his shortcomings.
Another federal lawmaker, Honourable Yinka Aluko, representing Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency, equally expressed deep sadness over the passing of the Sarkin Gobir of Ilorin, Captain Muhammad Ahmad Yusuf -Gobir. In his condolence message, Aluko described Sarkin Gobir as a patriotic, God-fearing, and disciplined individual. He extended his commiserations to Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, and the people of the state. He prayed for Allah’s mercy upon the departed soul and strength for the bereaved family to endure the loss.
Hajiya Arinola Lawal, a lawmaker representing Ilorin East at the Kwara State House of Assembly also mourned the death of Sarkin Gobir of Ilorin. In her statement: “I’m deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Captain Muhammad Ahmad Yusuf-Gobir, the esteemed Sarkin Gobir of Ilorin Emirate and Chairman of Ilorin Aviation College. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.
Captain Gobir’s legacy will undoubtedly live on through the transformative impact he had on the Aviation College, which flourished under his leadership. His contributions to the community’s growth and development have left an indelible mark, and his absence will be deeply felt.
The Ilorin Emirate and Ilorin East Local Government are mourning the loss of a truly distinguished individual, and my thoughts are with them. Captain Gobir’s life was a testament to his dedication to the betterment of his community, state, and beyond.” She prayed Allah to grant him aljannah firdaus.
The relationship between Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq and late Sarkin Gobir cannot be downplayed as his excellency was physically present during the janaza and the role he played in facilitating the movement of his remains to Ilorin from Kano. A loyal friend is a true friend, because he or she would still be consistently be there for you even at the point of death and that is the extent one can describe the action of his Excellency. The Turaki of Ilorin Senator Saliu Mustapha, former Minister of Interior General Abdulrahman Dambazau, Alhaji Garuba Lawal, Deputy Governor of Sokoto State Alhaji Idris Gobir Mohammed and other dignitaries also attended the janaza prayer, and subsequent condolence visit to the house of the deceased.
Former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki on Tuesday 15th October, 2024 while on a condolence visit to the Gobir’s family disclosed that the relationship between the two family did not start from him. It began from their parents and they, the children, had also sustained it. The Waziri of Ilorin prayed to Allah to forgive late Sarkin Gobir and grant him aljannah firdaus.
I am currently in Ilorin so I had the opportunity to pay a condolence visit and have brief interviews with few family members.
Mallam Nasir Yusuf -Gobir is the immediate younger brother of the deceased and he described him as a patient and selfless personality. He stressed that he always reached out to others by offering help. In his words, “Sarkin Gobir was generous and kind. Sometimes he shared whatever he had with me by half. He wanted the family to shine by bringing everyone together.”
Mallam Nasir reiterated that in the late Sarkin Gobir’s philosophy, he believed they had not leveraged on the influence of their ancestors; so by uniting the family, such glorious moment would return. And indeed, he did a great job by uniting the family. He disclosed that many had been expressing fear over who will fill the vacuum his death might create, because he brought peace among Gobirawa. He prayed Allah grant him aljannah firdaus.
Sarkin Gobir Personal Assistant, Baba Gobir Abdullahi eulogized him as a great unifier. He recalled how late Sarkin Gobir Ahmad resolved issues among the Gobirawa in the entire Africa. He said Captain Ahmad efforts in resolving the issues amicably ushered in a new era of unity among Gobirawa in Ilorin and beyond. He was the principal promoter of Gobir .”
According to him “he took us to our root in Sabo Birnin Gobir in Sokoto State and Niger Republic. He united the family and the people in his community. He was tolerant. In fact, describing his personality would be inexhaustible. He was an icon of contentment, righteousness, honesty, and piety ”
Baba Gobir also said the late 9th Sarkin Gobir of Ilorin served in various committees set up by Mai Martaba Sarki Ilorin Alhaji (Dr) Ibrahim Sulu Gambari and he performed excellently.
The late Sarkin Gobir was the eldest son of late Yusuf Amuda Gobir, the former Minister of Defence, and Ministry of Establishment. During his time he was regarded as super perm sec because of his approach to work. According to a retired ace broadcaster, who asked for anonymity. He said, “Yusuf Amuda Gobir was among the first generation of permanent secretaries in the country, and that he contributed a lot to the development of the country, Kwara, and particularly Ilorin Emirate.
It is significant to note that the late Sarkin Gobir’s father, late Yusuf Amuda Gobir, late Mutawali of Ilorin AGF Razak, Dr Amuda Aluko, the late Tafida of Ilorin and late Dr Olusola Saraki, the erstwhile Waziri of Ilorin were contemporaries and good friends.
The late Sarkin Gobir was born in 1962. He equally excelled in the aviation industry and in the service to humanity. May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him aljannah firdaus.
AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo writes from Ilorin and a member of Nigerian Institute of Public Relations
abdurraheemsaaddembo@gmail.com
