Vice President Kashim Shettima has described the death of the Emir of Gumel, Alhaji Ahmed Muhammad-Sani II, as a profound loss to Jigawa State and Nigeria.

Shettima stated this in a statement issued on Friday following a condolence visit to the royal family, where he conveyed the sympathies of President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government over the death of the traditional ruler.

The late monarch, who was the 16th Emir of Gumel, died in Cairo, Egypt, on September 3, 2026, after nearly 46 years on the throne. He ascended the throne on December 16, 1980.

According to the Vice President, the late emir belonged to a generation of traditional rulers whose influence extended beyond the palace to peacebuilding, education, community development and national cohesion.

Shettima said the monarch would be remembered for the length of his reign, as well as the stability, wisdom and sense of duty with which he served his people.

“His Royal Highness was more than a traditional ruler. He was a father, a bridge-builder and a stabilising voice whose wisdom served his people and the nation for almost half a century.

“He belonged to that distinguished generation of traditional leaders who understood that the palace must remain a place of refuge, counsel and unity for all. His passing has taken from us a repository of history, experience and institutional memory,” he said.

The Vice President noted that the late emir’s reign spanned decades of major political and social changes in Nigeria, adding that he remained committed to peace, education, Islamic scholarship and harmonious coexistence among his people.

He added that President Tinubu held the late monarch in high esteem, particularly for his contributions to peacebuilding and community development.

Shettima also said the Federal Government continued to regard traditional institutions as critical partners in strengthening national unity and stability.

“On behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria, I extend our profound condolences to the royal family, the Gumel Emirate Council, the government and people of Jigawa State.

“May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds, and grant him Aljannah Firdaus. May Allah also grant his family, the Emirate and the people of Jigawa State the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” the Vice President prayed.