Umar Ibn Muhammad of Borno

Summary

Shehu Umar Ibn Muhammad also known as Shehu Sanda Kyarimi, CBE, CMG, KBE, was Shehu of Dikwa between 1922 and 1937 and Shehu of Borno from 1937 to 1967.[3]

Umar Ibn Muhammad of Borno or Sanda bin Khair al-Kanemi
Shehu Umar in 1948
Shehu of Borno
Reign1937–1967
PredecessorSanda Kura of Borno
SuccessorUmar Ibn Abubakar Garbai of Borno
Shehu of Dikwa
Reign1922–1937
PredecessorSanda Mandarama[1]
SuccessorMasta II Kyarimi[2]
Died1967
Borno
DynastyKanemi
FatherKyari of Borno
ReligionMuslim

Reign edit

Shehu Umar (son of Shehu Kyari of Borno) was Shehu of Dikwa between 1922 and 1937 and Shehu of Borno from 1937 to 1967. In 1955, he attended the great durbar in Kaduna during the visit of Elizabeth II. The same year, he went on pilgrimage to Mecca.[4]

During his reign as Shehu of Dikwa, he was advised by the then District Officer of Dikwa that one of his armed guards was too old for duty. Bornu, at the time, had many robbers and in Dikwa there were half a dozen posts manned by men aremd with old rifles who patrolled the area. The armed guard who was "too old" was ninety years of age and was a former soldier in Rabih az-Zubayr's army. Despite the guard formerly serving in his father's killer's army, the Shehu refused to replace him as

During his tenure as Shehu of Dikwa, the District Officer of Dikwa advised him that one of his armed guards was no longer fit for duty due to his age. At the time, Borno faced a significant issue with robbers, and in Dikwa, there were several posts manned by guards armed with old rifles who patrolled the area. The particular armed guard in question was ninety years old and had previously served as a soldier in Rabih az-Zubayr's army. Despite this guard having once been a part of the army that had killed the Shehu's father, the Shehu chose not to replace him as

'....he was Rabih's mightiest leader in battle; he killed a score of men with his own right arm; his name is feared throughout the land. If he is replaced by some young stripling known to none, the road will be closed by highwaymen.'[5]

Decorations edit

In 1943, he was appointed CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire), on the nomination of Bernard Henry Bourdillon. In 1949, he was made CMG (Companion of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George), on the recommendation of Commissioner Patterson. Finally, in 1960, the governor of Northern Nigeria, Gawain Bell recommended him for appointment as a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire, so that he became Sir Umar.[6]

References edit

  1. ^ "Abba Tor Shehu Masta II: The Prince who waited - Daily Trust". dailytrust.com. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  2. ^ "Abba Tor Shehu Masta II: The Prince who waited - Daily Trust". dailytrust.com. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  3. ^ Hiribarren, Vincent (2017). A History of Borno: Trans-Saharan African Empire to Failing Nigerian State. London: Hurst & Company. p. 144. ISBN 9781849044745.
  4. ^ Bosoma Sheriff, Muhammad Fannami, and Abba Rufai Tijani, Functions of Shettima Kanuribe: Instances in the Shehu of Borno’s Palace (Maiduguri: Desktop Investment Ltd., 2011), pp. 66-71.
  5. ^ Stanhope White (1967-01-01). Dan Bana;: The memoirs of a Nigerian official. Internet Archive. J. H. Heineman. p. 28.
  6. ^ Bosoma Sheriff, Muhammad Fannami, and Abba Rufai Tijani, Functions of Shettima Kanuribe: Instances in the Shehu of Borno’s Palace (Maiduguri: Desktop Investment Ltd., 2011), pp. 66-71.

Bibliography edit

Sheriff, Bosoma, Muhammad Fannami, and Abba Rufai Tijani, Functions of Shettima Kanuribe: Instances in the Shehu of Borno’s Palace (Maiduguri: Desktop Investment Ltd., 2011).

Dynasty edit

Umar Ibn Muhammad of Borno
House of Kanemi
Regnal titles
Preceded by 11th Shehu of Borno
1937–1967
Succeeded by