Niger state government in north central Nigeria has described the demise of the Emir of Kontagora (Sarkin Sudan), Alhaji Saidu Namaska, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 84 ,as a bridge builder across ethnic, religious and cultural divides in the state.
According to the secretary to the state government, Ibrahim Matane, the monarch until his death, was the Vice-Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers.
The emir who spent 47 years on the throne having ascended to the stool in 1974 as the sixth Sarkin Sudan Kontagora, died in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city after a protracted illness.
Matane who expressed grief and sadness over the death of the Sarkin Sudan Kontagora in a condolence message on behalf of the Government and people of Niger State, further stated that with the passing of Alhaji Saidu Naska, Niger State and Nigeria as a whole has lost one of its longest-reigning monarchs whose contributions to the peaceful co-existence of his subjects and unity among Nigerians cannot be forgotten in years to come.
“The late Sarkin Sudan of Kontagora was a bridge-builder who reached across ethnic, cultural, and religious divides to promote peace and unity not only in his domain but the State as a whole.
The contributions of late Saidu Namaska to the development of Kontagora Emirate, the entire State and indeed Nigeria are unparalleled. His life on earth was very eventful and his achievements in all spheres of life left indelible marks on the people of his domain, Niger people and Nigerians”, he said.
The Government and people of Niger State expressed their heartfelt condolences to the Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, the Etsu Nupe, family of late Alhaji Saidu Namaska and the people of Kontagora Emirate.
Ahmed Matane prayed that the Almighty Allah (SWT) would forgive the shortcomings of the departed, remember his good works, grant his soul eternal rest as well as give his family and the people of the Emirate the much-needed strength and comfort to bear the loss.
Life and times
Alhaji Saidu Namaska was born in Kontagora on December 31, 1937. He began his educational carrier at Kontagora Elementary School between 1945 and 1950 and in 1950, entered the famous Buda middle school which he completed successfully in 1953.
Upon completion of his secondary education, the young prince began his working career with the then Native Authority in 1954 as a forest Guard. In 1957, Alhaji Saidu Namaska was promoted to the post of District Scribe and later appointed as an area court president in 1968 and posted to Salka. In 1971, he was transferred to Mahuta, in Zuru District.
As a judicial officer, Alhaji Saidu attended a Judicial course at the Institute of Administration, Zaria in 1962 from where he obtained the institute’s second-class certificate in Judiciary. Determined for excellence, the 1st class Emir consolidated his career in the judiciary as he attended an advanced Judiciary course at the same institute and obtained a First Class Certificate in 1972. Two years later, in 1974 precisely, Alhaji Namaska ascended to the throne as the 6th Sarkin Sudan of Kontagora. He was the Vice-Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers before his death.
The late Sarkin Sudan of Kontagora is survived by wives, children and great-grand children.
Meanwhile, the Secretary to the State Government has announced that the Janazah Prayer would take place on Thursday September 9, 2021 at the Palace of Sarkin Sudan, Kontagora Niger state by 4:00 pm.
Nneka Ukachukwu
