Emir of Lere, Alhaji Garba Muhammad dies

The Emir of Lere in Kaduna state, Alhaji Garba Muhammad, has died at the age of 77.

The monarch who was a military governor of Sokoto state during the General Babangida regime reportedly died on Saturday morning, April 10, in Kaduna.

Family members of the late traditional ruler told Premium Times that he died after a brief illness.

A nephew of the emir, Hassan Mohammed said. “He is my uncle. We missed him this Sarturday morning. It is indeed a loss for us and the whole family.

The monarch's death was also confirmed by the Daily Nigerian newspaper.

The traditional ruler ascended the throne as 13th Emir of Lere in January 2011.

He was also a former president of the Kaduna chamber of commerce, industry, mines, and agriculture.

Until his elevation to the throne, the new emir was the Madakin Lere.

Born on April 15, 1944 in his hometown Lere, the late emir, attended Lere and Soba Primary Schools between 1951 and 1958 before proceeding to the Barewa College Zaria from 1959 to 1963.

He was at the Ahmadu Bello University between 1965 and 1966 and also attended the California Polytechnic in the United States.