By Maimuna Garba
I HAD just picked my phone for browsing when the Name Emir of Dutse Nuhu Muhammadu Sanusi caught my eye I could not look away and decided to look at what was in the Story. The last thing I expected to read was news of the death of our respected beloved royal father and a leader in the truest sense of the word. It was so shocking, unexpected and a rude awakening to the transient nature of the world we live in.
I met the late Emir Alhaji Muhammadu Nuhu Sanusi in close contact when I was transferred from Nigerian Television Authority, Katsina to Nigerian Television Authority, Dutse in 2013 as General Manager. The transfer for me was my second time in Dutse ( the first time as Assistant Manager News in charge of the NTA Dutse News Dept), and it was for me then not welcomed idea because the town was not a big town in which you could easily count the number of streets.
As tradition and protocols demanded my first place of call was the Palace of the Emir Alhaji Muhammadu Nuhu Sanusi to seek royal blessings on my NTA Dutse assignment. I was received in person by the Emir, who opened his home to me and I became a member of the family.
During a courtesy call to NTA Dutse to see how we were doing, he presented to me a collection of books on the meaning of the Quran by Sheikh Abubakar Mahmoud Gummi. At the presentation of the books, he openly said the books were given to me and not NTA Dutse knowing the bickerings that could arise from such a gesture. I will treasure that gift of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi to eternity.
I didn’t need any permission go see him. He was such a simple man. In him, I found a father who protected me, a friend who believed in the capability of the female gender and went all out to encourage excellence where he saw the potential.
Some years after I left Dutse and retired from NTA I had cause to run back to him for support and leadership counsel. He did all he could to come to my aid and stood as a pillar for me. I was planning to go see him on a thank you visit when death struck cutting down my mission permanently never to be effected again.
Alhaji Nuhu Muhammadu Sanusi was a worthy and noble royal father beyond compare. He talked openly, sincerely and genuinely had the love of the people at heart. His vigilance paid off as he mobilized the people to monitor and guard against the presence of destructive elements in their communities.
Dutse has largely experienced peace in his time in the face of the various threats to peace and security in the North-West region. Alhaji Muhammadu Nuhu Sanusi developed the Dutse museum of artifacts and monuments, where I saw for the first time in my life a copy of the shoes worn by the first men called “Dangalaho” entirely made of wood and held together by rope.
The Dutse Museum today displays a rich historical and cultural artifacts to the pride of the people.
As a national leader, Alhaji Muhammadu Nuhu Sanusi stood out among his peers and provided effective leadership.
He also ensured the unity of his people and gave no room for a continued rancour within their ranks. Like it is with the traditional leaders, he presided over dispute cases in the communities providing satisfactory and lasting solutions.
Those who knew Late Emir Alhaji Muhammadu Nuhu Sanusi indeed agree that the nation has truly lost a gem of a leader, amongst the last generation of gentlemen Nigeria has ever had. Adieu our beloved father, may Allah forgive your shortcomings and may your continue to rest in Aljannatul Firdaus. Amin.
Garba is former director, Multi-channel, NTA, Headquarters, Abuja and she is presently General Manager, Telvision, Citizen FM, Abuja.