FULafia chancellor, Aku Uka, is dead

The paramount ruler died at his palace in Wukari in the early hours of Sunday at the age of 84 years.

The Senior Special Assistant on Media to the late Monarch, Mr Jolly Agyu, confirmed his death in a statement on Sunday.

The statement read in part: “Paramount and Supreme Ruler of the Jukun Race and Chairman Taraba State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Majesty, Dr Shekarau Angyu Masa Ibi, Kuvyo II CON has joined his ancestors.

“The Aku Uka joined his ancestors at the age of 84 after leading the Kwararafa Race for 45 Years.

The late Dr Shekarau Angyu Masa-Ibi (Kuvyon II) was the 27th Aku Uka of Kwararafa and the 13th since the founding of the Wukari.

The late Aku Uka, who until his death, was the Chancellor, Federal University of Lafia, ascended the throne in Wukari in 1976 as a second class king but he was later upgraded to a first-class status in 1982.

The late Dr Shekarau Angyu Masa Ibi held two honorary doctorate degrees and a national title of the Commander of the Order of Niger (CON).

Until his appointment, this year, as the chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia, he was the chancellor of the Federal University of Dutse, Jigawa State.