NEWSROYALE Emir Danyaya: 40 years of service to Ningi Emirate
From Bauchi
IBalarabe Alkassim, t is no mean feat to rule a people for forty years. The Emir of Ningi in Bauchi State, Alhaji Yunusa Muhammadu Danyaya, was installed in 1978.
Having attained forty years on the throne, Emir Danyaya has become the longest reigning emir in the history of Ningi Emirate.
Born in 1936, the emir had an illustrious working career before ascending the throne of his forebears. First, he attended the Ningi Elementary School, between 1941 and 1946, then Bauchi Middle School from 1946 to 1951 before proceeding to the School of Hygiene, Kano the same year. He later went to the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria and earned a diploma in Public Administration.
He had a distinguished working record during the Native Authority (NA) period even though he started as a dispenser at Nasaru Dispensary, Ningi.
He was a member of the Ningi Emirate Council from 1956 to 1960, counsellor for Medical and Health Department from 1958 to 1959 and member of the Ningi NA Outer Council between 1954 and 1956.
Emir Danyaya was counsellor, Works, Police and Prisons from 1959 to 1960 and member, Ningi NA Strong Room controllers between 1956 and 1960. In 1959, he was turbaned District Head and Chiroman Ningi, beginning his voyage in royalty.
But his love for a career was so strong that in 1963, he joined the Nigerian Tobacco Company, Zaria, as a welfare officer serving until 1967. He got employed by the then Northern Nigeria Marketing Board as Assistant Marketing Officer and was later made Assistant Manager in-charge of Gusau and Kaura Namoda in 1968. His hard work soon showed and he was promoted to the position of Manager, Maiduguri Groundnut depot in 1969 and in 1970, he was appointed Sub-Area Manager in-charge of Gombe, Biu and Kumo.
However, he was transferred in 1974 and was eventually in charge of Yola, Mubi and Mambila. In 1976, he was appointed acting Area Manager in-charge of North-Eastern states Marketing Board. Due to his experience, he served as Chairman, Asset Sharing Committee, between Northern States and Benue and Plateau Marketing Boards.
He is an active member of Jama’atu Nasrul Islam and a member of its Finance and General Purpose and Zakkat Committees. He was a member of the National Council of States representing Bauchi State Council of Chiefs from 1979 to 1983 and served as Acting Chairman, Board of Directors of the defunct Inland Bank Nigeria Plc between 1988 and 1991.
He also served as a Director, Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority between 1989 and 1991.
Besides, the emir was a member of the National Constitutional Conference between 1994 and 1995 and member of the Traditional Rulers Sub-committee of Vision 2010 committee between 1996 and 1997.
He has been the Chairman, Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON) since 2004 and Chairman, Bauchi State InterReligious Council since 2005. The Emir was conferred with the National Honour of the Officer of the Order of the Niger, (OON). The Emirate Looking back, Ningi Emirate was founded by Islamic Scholars who migrated from Tsakuwa in Dawakin Kudu Local Government Area in Kano State.
Ningi’s progenitor, Hamza and his other lieutenants were said to have left Tsakuwa because of their refusal to pay land tax which was imposed by the then Emir of Kano, Muhammad Bello.
They were said to have later settled at a place called Mara mixed with the locals under their leader called Dan Daura and formed a formidable alliance to protect themselves from Bauchi, Kano and other kingdoms that surrounded Ningi.
History has it that Hamza later fell out with Dan Daura around 1830. He fought and defeated Dan Daura and became the leader, bringing all the other neighbouring tribes of Butawa, Fa’awa, Warjawa, Kudawa and Sirawa to pay allegiance to his leadership.
His move to consolidate and gain more power was said to have threatened Kano and Bauchi and other emirates which prompted them to form and alliance and attack Ningi.
Hamza later died and Ahmadu was selected to succeed him in 1850 and later died in 1855. Abubakar Danmaje was chosen as the next leader after the death of Ahmadu. Danmaje was a son in-law to Hamza.
During Danmaje’s reign, old Ningi was moved to a strategic location surrounded by hills which ensured protection from constant attacks. In fact, the name meant “hiding place” in one of the local dialects.
When Danmaje died in 1870, he was succeeded by Haruna Karami and supported by Barden Ningi, Usman Danyaya. Haruna died in 1886 and was succeeded by Abubakar Gajigi, who was later succeeded by Usman Danyaya. Usman was succeeded by Mamuda then Musa Dangwido who reigned from 1905 to 1906 who was succeeded by Mallam Mamuda who ruled the emirate from 1906 to 1908 and Adamu Danyaya, who ruled for 32 years.
The people of Ningi attest to their emir’s sense of justice, fairness and equity.