Emir of Ilesha/Baruba in Baruten LGA of Kwara State, Alhaji Bio Uthman Abubakar, died early yesterday aged 71 after a after a protracted illness, a relative told Daily Trust correspondent in Ilorin.

The late emir who is survived by wives, children and grandchildren, was born on May 3, 1944. He served in many public positions before being appointed emir in 2000. He was the state Commissioner for Works and Housing and General Manager of London office of the defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA), among other appointments.

Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Barrister Razaq Atunwa, described his death as a great loss to not only Kwara State but to Nigeria as a whole, especially when the nation is yearning for peace.

His media aide, Alhaji Abdulrahman Sanni, described him as a kind, pious and caring man who made valuable contributions to the development of the nation.