Umar Ibn Muhammad of Borno

Sanda Kyarimi
Shehu Umar in 1948
Shehu of Borno
Reign	1937–1967
Predecessor	Sanda Kura
Successor	Umar ibn Abubakar Garbai
Shehu of Dikwa
Reign	1922–1937
Predecessor	Sanda Mandarama[1]
Successor	Masta II Kyarimi[2]
Born	Umar ibn Muhammad 1872
Died	1967(1967-00-00) (aged 94–95) Borno
Dynasty	Kanemi
Father	Abba Kyari
Religion	Muslim

Sir Umar Ibn Muhammad GCON KBE CBE CMG (1872–1967), also known as Sanda Kyarimi, was Shehu of Dikwa between 1922 and 1937 and Shehu of Borno from 1937 to 1967.^[3]

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 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]

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] In 1964, the Nigerian Government appointed him Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON).^[7]

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).