A deep veil of sorrow descended upon the ancient city of Gusau on Friday as news broke of the passing of His Royal Highness, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello, the revered Emir of Gusau. He died at the age of 71, after a brief illness, at a private hospital in Abuja.
Alhaji Ibrahim Bello, who ascended the throne in 2005, was known for his wisdom, calm leadership, and unwavering commitment to the unity and progress of Zamfara State. For two decades, he guided the emirate through times of growth and turbulence, becoming a beacon of stability in an era marked by insecurity and rapid change.
Born in 1954, the late Emir was a scion of the Bello royal family and a trained administrator. He earned his degree in public administration from Ahmadu Bello University and spent years serving in various civil service capacities before his appointment as emir.
Throughout his reign, Emir Bello was lauded for his efforts to foster interfaith dialogue, mediate conflicts between pastoralist and farming communities, and promote education among youths, particularly young girls in rural areas. He was instrumental in launching several community development programs and served as an adviser to successive state governments.
“His Highness was a father to all,” said Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State in a statement. “He was a peacemaker whose wisdom and counsel helped guide our state through some of its darkest days.”
Residents of Gusau and surrounding villages gathered in the palace grounds to pay their respects, many overcome with emotion. Traditional drummers fell silent, and flags across the state flew at half-mast. In accordance with Islamic tradition, the Emir was buried later the same day at the royal cemetery, following Janazah prayers attended by dignitaries, clerics, and thousands of mourners.
As the kingdom begins the official mourning period, attention now turns to the selection of a successor — a process steeped in tradition, guided by the kingmakers, and closely watched by the people.
Though he is gone, the legacy of Alhaji Ibrahim Bello endures — in the schools he helped build, the peace accords he brokered, and the countless lives touched by his reign.
He is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren.
May his soul rest in peace.
