The remains of Sarkin Sasa, Haruna Maiyasin Katsina, who died at the age of 125, were laid to rest on Sunday at his residence in the Sasa community, Akinyele Local Government Area, Ibadan, Oyo State.
He was interred at exactly 1:45 pm.
Until his demise, Sarkin Sasa was the Chairman of the Council of ArewaTraditional Rulers in the 17 Southern States of Nigeria.
In a swift move to fill the leadership vacuum, one of his sons, Ahmed Haruna (Ciroma), was unanimously nominated as the new Sarkin Sasa by the family and the traditional councils of the 17 Southern states, our correspondent reports.
During a meeting held on Sunday, a committee was constituted to formally convey the decision to the Olubadan of Ibadanland ahead of the official turbaning of the new Sarkin Sasa, scheduled to take place during the seventh-day Fidau prayer for the late leader.
An impeccable family source disclosed, “The meeting was centred on the next Sarkin Sasa. There must not be a vacuum.
“The over 100 leaders across the 17 Southern States of Nigeria are here, and they have reached a compromise on the new leader. Though, the committee set up in that regard must visit Olubadan.
“The committee has to present the name of the new Sarkin to the paramount ruler (Olubadan) before turbaning him.”
Confirming the development, the Speaker of the Arewa Traditional Rulers, Suleiman Rabiu, stated, “Leaders across 17 states were in attendance during both the burial ceremony and the meeting to nominate the late Maiyasin’s successor.”
Rabiu, who is also the Sarkin Hawusawa of Lagos, Kuje-Amodun-Odofin, added, “Yes, we have nominated Ciroma, one of the late leader’s children. Other children and over 100 leaders across the southern states were in attendance during the exercise.”
Rabiu further emphasised unity among the late leader’s children, saying, “Even before this, we have tutored them (children) that others must support whoever becomes the next Sarkin Sasa.
“And he must not turn himself to a beggar. He shouldn’t be using the seat to extort money from people.”
Meanwhile, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, described the demise of the Sarkin Sasa as “the end of a great era.”
In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Print Media, Moses Alao, the governor expressed his condolences to the immediate family of the deceased and the entire Hausa/Fulani community in the state and Southern Nigeria.
“I met the late Sarkin years before I became governor, and our relationship had always been cordial, as the late leader had always been supportive. On behalf of the government and the good people of the state, I express my condolences to the Hausa/Fulani community in this state over the demise of Maiyasin Katsina, the Sarkin Sasa Sardaunan Yamma,” Makinde stated.
He added, “His cooperation with our government was top-notch and exemplary. May Allah grant him Aljanah Firdausi.”
In the same vein, Senators representing Oyo Central and Oyo South Senatorial Districts under the All Progressives Congress, Yunus Akintunde and Sharafadeen Alli, also mourned the revered traditional ruler.
Akintunde, through a statement by his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Kunle Olatunji, described the late Maiyasin as a staunch advocate of good governance and democracy.
“Well-loved and highly respected by his subjects and associates across the country, the Sarkin Sasa, as he was fondly called, will be sorely missed,” he said.
Similarly, Alli expressed deep sorrow over the monarch’s passing.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Akeem Abass, he described the late traditional ruler as a towering figure in leadership and an unwavering advocate of good governance.
Alli noted, “His leadership virtues were unparalleled, and his peaceful nature was a source of inspiration. He was a father figure to many, always offering wise counsel and unwavering support.”
