Emir Of Ningi Yunusa Danyaya Laid To Rest

By Khalid Idris Doya

Emir of Ningi Alhaji (Dr.) His Royal Highness Alhaji Yunusa Muhammad Danyaya, (OON) the second longest serving Emir in Bauchi State, was laid to rest in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State on Sunday.

Danyaya who spent 46 years on the throne died early Sunday at the age of 88 after a protracted illness at a hospital in Kano. He was survived by four wives and 24 children. 

The funeral prayer led by the Chief Imam of Ningi, Imam Muhammad Umar was attended by dignitaries from works of life including Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Senators among others.

Include Emirs from within and outside the state, top government functionaries, politicians and hundreds of sympathizers.

Speaking after the funeral prayer, Governor Bala Mohammed described the late Emir as a father who demonstrated the highest value of leadership, fostering unity, progress and development not only within Ningi Emirate and Bauchi State but the country as a whole.

He prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the deceased internal rest and for the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable lost.

Danyaya was crowned as Emir of Ningi in 1978 and was subsequently upgraded to first class status in 1998.

Alhaji Yunusa was born in Ningi in 1936. He attended Ningi Elementary school between 1941 and 1946 he proceeded to Bauchi middle School in 1946 and completed his studies there in 1951. He later enrolled at School of Hygiene, Kano in 1951. Alhaji Yunusa also attended Ahmadu Bello University Zaria (ABU) for a one year course in Public Administration between 1956 and 1957. Similarly, he attended a course at the British Council, Kano between 1959 and 1960. Between 1960 and 1962, he obtained a diploma in public administration from ABU Zaria.

Before he passed away Yunusa Muhammad Danyaya is a distinguished and highly respected first-class traditional ruler in the North East Geographical Zone. He is highly adored by his subjects for his sense of justice, fairness and equity. His tenure has witnessed rapid transformation of Ningi from a rural community to a fast developing and modern town.

As a foremost administrator, he had a distinguished record of service in the Native Authority (NA) Administration. He started out as a dispenser at Nasaru Dispensary, Ningi between 1953 and 1958. He was a member of the Ningi Emirate Council from 1956 to 1960. He served as councilor of the Medical and Health Department (1958-1959). From 1954 to 1956, he was a member of Ningi N.A Outer Council. He served as a Councilor Works, Police and Prisons (1959 – 1960) and was a member of Ningi  N.A  strong room controllers (1956 – 1960). He was Turbaned District Head and Chiroman Ningi 1959.

He took a career detour when he joined the Nigerian Tobacco Company, Zaria in 1963 as welfare officer. He served there up till 1967 when he switched over to Northern Nigeria Marketing Board as Assistant Marketing officer. He was made Assistant Manager In charge of Gusau and Kaura Namoda in 1968. Through a dint of hard work he was elevated to the position of Manager, Maiduguri Groundnut depot in 1969. He took up higher responsibilities when he was appointed Sub – Area Manager In charge of Gombe, Biu and Kumo in 1970. He was transferred in 1974 and was  eventually In charge of Yola, Mubi and Mambila.

In 1976, he was appointed Acting Area Manager Incharge of the North Eastern States Marketing Board. Alhaji Yunusa also served as a Chairman, Asset Sharing committee between Northern States and Benue and Plateau Marketing Boards.