Zulum condoles Buni over death of Emir of Tikau

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has extended his commiseration to the Governor of Yobe State, Mai Mala Buni, following the demise of the Emir of Tikau, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Ibn Grema.

Governor Zulum received the shocking news of the death of one of Yobe’s first-class emirs, Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar Ibn Grema, while on an official trip to New York City.

Zulum’s condolence message was released Saturday night by his SSA on New Media, Abdurrahman Ahmed Bundi.

The release quoted the Governor saying, “I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of the Emir of Tikau and I extend my heartfelt condolences to Governor Mai Mala Buni, the people of Tikau Emirate and the entire Yobe State during this difficult time.”

He added, “the loss of a respected figure like the Emir of Tikau is a tragedy. His contributions to the community and his legacy will be remembered and cherished by all who know him. His wisdom, kindness, and leadership have left an indelible mark on the hearts of many.”

The late emir died on Friday after a brief illness in Postiskum town; he died at the age of 70 after spending 25 years on the throne.

Zulum condoles Buni over death of Emir of Tikau

Governor Buni attends the funeral prayer of the late Emir of Tikau.

By: Yahaya Wakili

Governor Mai Mala Buni CON of Yobe State has today attended the funeral prayer for the late Emir of Tikau, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Ibn Grema, at the Emir’s palace. Sabon Garin Nangere.

Governor Buni prayed to Almighty Allah to grant his soul eternal rest in Aljannatur Fidaus and grant his family and the entire people of the Tikau emirate council the fortitude to bear the loss.

He described the death of the Emir of Tikau, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Ibn Grema, as a great loss to the emirate, the Yobe state, and Nigeria as a whole.

Emir’s and Chiefs, National Assembly members, members of the state assembly, commissioners, members of the business community, and others from within and outside the state also attended the funeral prayer.

The late Emir of Tikau, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Ibn Grema, died on May 10, 2024, at the specialist hospital Potiskum after a protected illness.

Governor Buni attends the funeral prayer of the late Emir of Tikau

Profile of the late Emir of Tikau

By: Yahaya Wakili

The late Mai Tikau, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Ibn Grema, was born into the family of the late Mai Abubakar Ibn Grema on August 21, 1951, and ascended to the throne of his father, the late Abubakar Ibn Grema, on July 21, 2001.

He attended Damboa primary school, Potiskum, from 1960–1963, and proceeded to senior boarding primary school, Potiskum, from 1964–1966, and from there he moved to Government Craft School, Maiduguri, in 1967–1969, and later moved to Gombe Teachers College for his Grade 11 certificate from 1970–1972.

In his commitment to higher educational pursuits, the late Emir left the classroom to obtain an NCE certificate from Advance Teachers College, Maiduguri, from 1977 to 1980, and he was among the 13th batch of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from 1981 to 1982. He proceeded to the University of Maiduguri from 1987 to 1990, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in education.

The late Emir was a career educator, where he grew from a class teacher in 1973 up to school headmaster in 1977. From there, the late emir moved to the secondary level of education as a master teacher and rose to the rank of principal in 1998, and his education career ended in 2002 when he was appointed as the district head of Nangere. As destined by Allah (SWT), he was appointed as a second-class emir of Tikau on July 21, 2001, and on May 28, 2007, the late emir was upgraded to first-class status.

In line with the Yobe state government directive for the establishment of Zakkat and Waqaf committees in all the emirates in the state, the late emir was the first to establish the Zakkat and Waqaf committee with him as chairman in 2002.

The committee conducts an annual launching for the collection of Zakkat and Waqaf throughout the emirate. From 2002 to date, a total sum of $47,885,014.00k, with the highest donations of $4,681,200.00k in 2002, was collected and distributed to the needy.

Since his ascension to the throne in 2002, an additional 46 Friday Masjids have been built, while many of the existing Masjids have either been renovated or reconstructed. He also approved an improved condition of service for Imams and Na’ibs, with provisions for the distribution of the Holy Qur’an, regalia, and even financial support for house renovation.

Prior to the establishment of the Zakkat and Waqaf committee in 2002 in Tikau emirate by the late emir, many villages had no access to Islamiyya schools. From 2002 to date, the number of Islamiyya schools rose from 10 to 74 in 2023.

With regards to the enrollment of males, females, and teachers into Islamiyya schools, the emir, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Ibn Grema, has increased their numbers to 2,185 for males, 4,617 for females, and 168 for teachers, amounting to 6,802 in 2023.

This record of achievements can be attributed to the firm commitment of the late emir of Tikau, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Ibn Grema, with the active support of his Zakkat and Waqaf committees in propagating Islam throughout the emirate.

The late emir is actively driving Da’awah activities in the emirate. The Zakkat and Waqaf committee, in collaboration with the Da’awah department of FOMWAN under the leadership of Malama Hauwa Idris Muhammad, has been conducting a series of lectures, practical demonstrations, and question-and-answer sessions on selected topics.

The late Emir of Tikau, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Ibn Grema, received many merit awards, including many international and national awards. Kentucky Colonel Award by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, United States of America, 2005. Traditional Leadership Award by Development in Nigeria Merit Award (DINMA), People State and Resource, PSR Magazine 2008.

Others Merit Awards include: Chancellor, Yobe State University, Damaturu 2010-2020; Grand Patron, Yobe State Islamic Teachers Association 2011, Environmental Support and Protection Award, by Environmental Outreach Magazine, Bayelsa State; Award of Merit by Ummaty International Charity Foundation, Yobe State Chapter 2024; NANS Yobe Chapter, Grand Patron; and Hijra TV Ghana, Merit Award, 2023.

May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannatur Fidaus. Ameen.

Profile of the late Emir of Tikau