The Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Abdullahi Bayero is dead. He died in his sleep at 5 a.m. Friday, 6 June.
The Emir returned from a medical check up abroad less than a fortnight ago. Afrika herald learnt that the respected Kano monarch will be buried today.
Even though an impeccable source from the Emir’s palace confirmed the demise of the monarch to Afrika herald Friday morning, most people contacted to speak on his death declined comment, begging for time to come out from the shock.
He ascended the throne about 51 years ago.“I am a man of the people. I love my people, I speak with them and I interact with my people. I am open to them. So, in return, my people love me, they have respect for me and they adore me. In this light, I call on Nigerians to always express concern for people, love mankind and keep the light of compassion burning in their hearts always. I have no other secret apart from my faith in Allah. I have a good heart and I love people. I want the best for the people and my people have continued to wish me well.”
Until his death, Ado Bayero believed that in spite of all the challenges he encountered in the cause of championing, protecting and defending the culture, norms and heritage of his people, nothing has rattled him. For the Kano monarch, all tribulations, mishaps and misfortunes that came his way in the last 51 years remain 
the act of God, and the same God who has been seeing him through.
In an interview with newsmen just before his 50th anniversary on the throne in 2013, Bayero noted that nothing had ever rattled him as his faith was hinged on God.
Speaking further, he said, “in fact, I don’t even know what shock is. What I believe is that whatever happens to me on this earth is destined to happen to me by Almighty Allah. So there is no point in showing any fear, as whatever happens to any person is already pre-destined to happen to him. Therefore, wherever such things happen whether good or bad, what is required from that person is to thank Allah; if it is for good, exercise patience.
Alhamdulillah, all praises are due to Allah who through all assistance made it possible for me to witness these years on the throne, which is a feat that none of my predecessors have achieved. I thank all the people of Kano and the country at large for showing me great love during this time and to have succeeded despite challenges because as I always say whoever puts his trust in Allah and follows instruction as prescribed by Islam in whatever he does, that person has nothing to worry about. So it is through Allah’s assistance that we succeeded all these years.
“I have absolute faith in God,” Bayero said, adding that perseverance, endurance and patience had been his watchword.
According to him, he stepped into the Kano throne with mixed feelings. “When I was crowned as the Emir of Kano in 1963, I received the honour with mixed feelings. I was happy, and then I was not happy. In any case, I took it as a call to serve my people. I was not happy because then, I had elder brothers, elderly uncles who could have done it better, but the mantle of leadership fell on me and I had no choice than to accept the responsibility.”
“The President joins them in mourning the monarch whose uncommon leadership qualities and evident faith in the peace, unity, progress, and prosperity of Nigeria combined to make him one of the most respected traditional rulers in the country during his long and very successful reign.
“President Jonathan believes that Alhaji Ado Bayero will always be remembered and honoured by the people of Kano and all Nigerians for his immense wisdom and competence as a traditional ruler, as well as for using his exalted throne to build bridges of unity, friendship and harmony across the nation”, he said.
