The Emir of Borgu (Mai Borgu) in Niger State, Senator Haliru Dantoro, Kitoro III died yesterday at the age of 77 after a brief illness . The Emir passed on in a German hospital where he was flown for medical attention. The news of his demise was broken to the family by the Galadima of Borgu Kingdom, Khalifat Mohammed.

However, the official announcement of the incident came through a statement by Alhaji Shehu Umar Danyaya, the Secretary to the State Government, who described the deceased as a man exemplary character. He said the deceased was humble, respectful and dedicated to the development of Borgu Kingdom, Niger State and Nigeria in general.

The statement reads in part: “ The death has occurred of His Royal Highness, Senator Haliru Dantoro, Kitoro III, the Emir of Borgu late Senator Haliru Dantoro died in the early hours of today after a brief illness. “The deceased was a highly trustworthy and contributed immensely in fashioning out pragmatic mechanism to improving the existing circumstances of the people of his domain and Nigerlites as a whole.”

The remains of the traditional ruler, according to the SSG, will be buried in New Bussa on a date to be announced soon by the state government.

The late Emir spent most of his life in the public service, where he worked for over 50years, starting as Council Secretary between 1957 and 1958 at the tender age of 19. In 1971 he became a Commissioner, and was commissioner in different ministries and administrations up to 1975. He became the Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1992 on the platform of National Republican Convention (NRC). He became the Kitoro 111 of Borgu Kingdom on February 3, 2000, after the demise of Alhaji Musa Mohammadu.