Over the last few days, Kano State in Northern Nigeria has been thrown repeatedly, into the throes of mourning. The latest loss is the life of Alhaji Tafida Abubakar, the Emir of the newly created Rano Emirate. He was 74 years old.
What led to the death of the Emir of Rano?
While the passing of the Emir comes at a time where the coronavirus is infecting hundreds across the country on a daily basis, with Kano itself recording a staggering loss of lives under uncertain circumstances — the Emirate Council in a tweet dismissed the idea, claiming the Emir had an illness unrelated to COVID-19.
According to the Council, following a visit to his medical doctor months ago, the Emir became sick with the commencement of the Ramadan fast.
Brief timeline of the passing of the Emir of Rano
On May 1st, Emir Abubakar was admitted at Mallam Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital for an undisclosed illness. He was later referred to the Nasarawa Specialist Hospital due to lack of oxygen, for further medical attention.
By May 2nd, he was declared dead.
His death came the same day as Malam Rabiu Kano’s – the head of communications for UNICEF in Kano. He is reported to have shown symptoms of the coronavirus. It also came one day before the passing of a senior member of the Kano Emirate Council – Jarman Kano, naming only two top officials affected by the recent loss of lives in Kano State.
The late Emir of Rano is survived by two wives and seventeen children. May he and the rest of the dearly departed rest in peace.
