Emir of Gombe dies at 76

The Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar, has died at the age of 76. A statement signed by the Secretary to the Gombe State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Bage, said the emir died at a London hospital on Tuesday. Bage said burial arrangements of the emir would be announced later by the government. Born in Doma area of Gombe metropolis in 1938, Abubakar attended Elementary School and Bauchi Middle School. He also attended Barewa College, Zaria in Kaduna State. The emir started his working career as Engineering Assistant with the defunct Gombe Native Authority. He later proceeded to the Technical Training Centre, Kaduna Institute of Administration. Abubakar also worked with the defunct Northern Nigeria, North Eastern Government and the defunct Bauchi State Government where he rose to the rank of a Permanent Secretary, Parastatals, Local governments, Animals, Forestry and Establishment. He succeeded his late father as the 10th Emir of Gombe in 1984, and was the Chairman, Gombe State Council of Emirs and Chiefs before his death. (NAN)