The Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, on Sunday led the Federal Government delegation that include the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, to the burial of the late Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris.
Idris, who was the Chairman, Kaduna State Council of Chiefs and the Chancellor of the University of Abuja, died at the age of 84 on Sunday.
He was laid to rest in the ‘Emir’s Palace’ in the ancient city of Zaria, Kaduna State.
The Wazirin Zazzau, Alhaji Ibrahim Aminu, as well as the state government, had earlier confirmed the death of the monarch.
Idris, who was the 18th Fulani Emir of Zazzau, was appointed on February 15, 1975 and spent 45 years on the throne.
The late monarch was buried beside past emirs of the Zazzau Emirate Council.
The funeral prayers was led by the Chief Imam of Zazzau Emirate Council, Alhaji Dalhatu Kasimu a about 5.35pm in accordance with Islamic rites.
Also in attendance were the Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasiru El-Rufa’i, Secretary to the State Government Balarabe Lawal-Abbas, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Yusuf Zailani and other top state government dignitaries.
Earlier, El-Rufai’s, on his Facebook handle, had tweeted, “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….
“I have inform 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.”
Meanwhile, Buhari also expressed shock over the death of the emir.
Shehu, in a statement titled, ‘President Buhari mourns Emir of Zazzau,’ quoted Buhari as saying, “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.”
