Emir Of Kano Ado Bayero Dies In Nigeria

  
Ado Bayero was a successful businessman and had worked as a banker, police officer, MP and diplomat

The emir of Kano, one of Nigeria's most revered Muslim leaders and a vocal critic of the Islamist Boko Haram militants, has died, aged 83.

Al-Haji Ado Bayero, on the throne of the northern city of Kano since 1963, died after a long illness.
He was the longest-serving emir in Kano's history and sought to reduce tensions with Nigeria's Christians.
Last year, he survived an attack on his convoy by suspected Boko Haram fighters.
'Peace builder' He will be buried after Friday prayers in Kano, according to Islamic tradition.
Tens of thousands of people, including dignitaries from across Nigeria, are expected to attend despite the short notice.
BBC Nigeria analyst Aliyu Tanko says he was regarded as a peacemaker and sought to ease tensions between the different ethnic and religious groups in Kano, and Nigeria.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Mohamed Sa'ad Abubakar is considered the spiritual leader of all Nigeria's Muslims, but given his long reign, Ado Bayero, had more respect, our correspondent says.

The emirate of Kano is close to the British crown and Prince Charles (C) and his mother have visited

Every year at the end of Ramadan, the emir (R) oversaw a three-day royal horse parade

It is known as a durbar and involves galloping horsemen wearing traditional costumes

The durbar honours the power and heritage of the Hausa community of northern Nigeria

During the emir's 50 years on the throne, Nigeria has experienced a great deal of turmoil with military coups and unrest but he always stayed out of politics.
He had recently returned home from London where he had been receiving treatment.
Before he ascended to the throne, he worked as a banker, police officer, parliamentarian and diplomat; he was also a successful businessman.
The emir's driver and two guards were killed when suspected Boko Haram fighters tried to assassinate him in January 2013.
Boko Haram has accused traditional rulers of being too close to the political elite - just last week the emir of Gwoza was killed by suspected militants in the north-east.
Correspondents say Nigeria's traditional leaders hold few constitutional powers, but are able to exert significant influence especially in the mainly Muslim north where they are seen as custodians of both religion and tradition.
Under British rule, the northern emirates were adopted as an integral part of the colonial administration and they became increasingly powerful.
Source:bbc.co.uk