Rita Odafe
Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa
Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa, a notable traditional leader from Bauchi State, has passed away at the age of 111.
He held the title of Village Head of Beli (Sarkin Beli) in the Shira Local Government Area for an impressive 91 years.
His death occurred at the Federal Medical Center Azare, situated in the Katagum Local Government Area.
The Chief Imam of Beli, Liman Musa Abubakar, confirmed the news and expressed that this loss is significant for the community in Northern Nigeria.
Reflecting on his life in an interview with Daily Trust, the late ruler shared, “My grandfather was the initial village head of Beli for 12 years before he passed away, and then my father took over for 17 years. I became village head at the age of 19, so I must have been born around 1912 or 1913 and was officially appointed in 1933 by the Emir of Katagum, AbdulQadir.”
Throughout his reign, he had the honor of serving under four different first-class Emirs of Katagum.
He recounted, “I spent 12 years with Emir Abdulqadir before his passing, and then 35 years with Emir Umaru Faruqu. Following him, I served for 38 years under Emir Muhammadu Kabiru, and currently, I have been with the present Emir Umaru Faruq II for six years.”
Inuwa remarked, “I have spent nearly 91 years on the throne, and thankfully, we have lived in harmony. I have 11 children, of whom seven are still alive – four sons and three daughters.”
