Buhari, El-Rufai, others mourn as emir of Zazzau Buried amidst tribute
AREWA AGENDA – The Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, has died at the age of 84.
He was the 18th Emir of Zazzau and the Chairman of the Zazzau Emirate Council.
The monarch who died at the 44 Military Hospital Kaduna on Sunday, ascended the throne in 1975 at the age of 36.
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed shock and grief over the death of the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris.
In a condolence message to Governor Nasir El-Rufai, the government and people of Kaduna, Buhari said Nigeria has lost one of its longest serving monarchs.
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, Buhari noted the late Emir contributed immensely to the unity and peaceful coexistence of Nigerians.
“With the passing of Alhaji Shehu Idris, Nigeria has lost one of its longest reigning traditional monarchs whose contributions to the promotion of unity and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians cannot be forgotten for years to come,” he said.
According to the President: ‘The Emir of Zazzau who ascended to the throne in 1975, had used his long reign to serve his people with dedication and identified with their aspirations at all times.”
He prayed to Allah to forgive the late Emir and grant his family and subjects the fortitude to bear the loss.
Following the death of Emir of Zazzau, Alh (Dr.) Shehu Idris CFR, the governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai, Sunday expressed shock, describing his death as sad.
Disclosing this via his facebook handle, El-Rufai said: “VERY SAD: It is with great sadness that I confirm the passing of the father of our state, His Highness Emir of Zazzau, Alh (Dr.) Shehu Idris CFR. He died at the 44 Military Hospital Kaduna today after a brief illness. Janazah prayer in Zaria is scheduled for 5pm in Sha Allah. All Covid-19 protocols to be complied with as much as possible during the funeral prayers and condolences.
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“I have informed the President Muhammdu Buhari, GCFR of the great loss and offered our condolences. The Chief of Staff to PMB, Prof Ibrahim Gambari will lead a Federal Government delegation to Zaria to condole with the family of High Highness, Zazzau Emirate Council and the people of Zazzau Emirate and Kaduna State.
“We have lost a rare gem, a source of wisdom and guidance and a true father of all. May Allah Grant his soul abode in Aljanna Firdaus. Amin. – Nasir El-Rufai.”
Also, the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has expressed it’s grief over the loss.
In a statement on Sunday in Kaduna, spokesman of the forum, Emmanuel Yawe, said the ACF “received with shock and sadness news of the death of Alhaji Shehu Idris, the Emir of Zauzau at the age of 84.”
The forum said the emir was “one of the oldest and highest ranking traditional rulers not only in the north but the whole of Nigeria”.
“He was the 18th Emir to rule over the Emirate and in February this year celebrated his 45th year on the throne.
“He ruled his Emirate through a period of rapid political, economic, social changes and never lost his focus on his primary responsibility – the maintenance of peace and progress in his Emirate”, the statement said.
The ACF condoled with his immediate family, the Zazzau Emirate and the Kaduna state government “over this tragic and untimely loss”.
The statement said the ACF will miss his fatherly advice.
Meanwhile, thousands of mourners on Sunday evening attended the prayers of the late Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Dr. Shehu Idris at his palace in Zaria.
Dignitaries and the late Emir’s subjects filled the palace as Alhaji Shehu Idris buried today at 5pm.
The Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and representatives of President Buhari, led by the Chief of Staff Professor Ibrahim Gambari, also attended the funeral.
Arewa Agenda is a Publication of Young Writers from Northern Nigeria towards Peaceful Coexistence and National Development.
