The Etsu Nupe and chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has described the death of Etsu Dazhi, Doko, Alhaji Muhammadu Santali, as a very painful and monumental loss.
Etsu Nupe said the deceased, who was among his confidants, epitomised humility, piety and uprightness.
The 13th Etsu Dazhi Doko died at the age of 63 at the Federal Medical Centre, Bida on Monday night and had been buried according to Islamic rites.
The royal father stated this shortly after the funeral prayers at his home town Doko in Lavun local government area of the state on Tuesday
The Etsu Nupe described the late Santali as a humble gentleman known for fairness, justice and peaceful coexistence, saying “the late Etsu Dazhi Doko was Godly and showed love to his people, irrespective of tribal or religious inclinations.”
He described the deceased as a bridge builder, an amiable personality, who was at home with his people and his demise had created a vacuum that would be too difficult to fill.