The remains of the late emir of Zazzau, Alhaj (Dr) Shehu Idris who died at the Nigerian 44 Army Reference Hospital Kaduna at the age of 84, has been laid to rest at the emirs palace in Zaria, besides the graves of past emirs of the emirate.
The funeral prayers was led by the Chief Imam of Zazzau Emirate, Alhaji Dalhatu Kashimu at the palace at about 5. 35pm with a mammoth crowd in attendance.
The prayers was attended by Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasiru El-Rufa’i, Secretary to the state government Balarabe Lawal-Abbas, Speaker Yusuf Zailani Kaduna state House of Assembly and other top government dignitaries.
The Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Professor Ibrahim Gambari led the federal government delegation which included Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika and Senior Special Assistant to the president on media and Publicity Mallam Garba Shehu alongside Minister of finance were part of the funeral prayers.
The funeral prayer was also attended by head of military and paramilitary formations in the state.
Late Dr Idris was born on February 20, 1936 to his parents Mallam Idris Auta and Hajiya Haminatu Auta. He was coroneted the 18th Emir of Zazzau on February 8, 1975 following the demise of Alhaji Muhammadu Aminu, the 17th Emir.
The late emir until his death was the 18th Fulani Emir of Zazzau and the Chairman of Zazzau Emirate Council and Kaduna State Council of Chiefs.
The late Dr. Idris was born to the family of Malam Idrisu Auta who was sometimes called Auta Sambo and Hajiya Aminatu. Idrisu Auta’s father was Sarkin Zazzau Muhammadu Sambo who reigned from c. 1879 to 1888 and Auta’s grandfather was Sarkin Zazzau Abdulkarimi who reigned from c. 1834 – 1846.
Idris started his education career being tutored by two Islamic scholars in Zaria and then continued with formal studies at the Zaria Elementary School. He was at the elementary school from 1947 till 1950, during this period, the young Idris lost his father when he was 12 years old. Idris continued both his qur’anic and formal education and enrolled in the Zaria Middle School in 1950 and finished studies in 1955. He then attended Katsina Training College to become a teacher.
In 1958, he was a teacher at a school in Hunkuyi and then taught at a few other schools in Zaria. Thereafter, he left teaching. In the 1960s, he was a private secretary to Sarkin Zazzau, Muhammadu Aminu, he was also appointed secretary to the Zaria Native Authority Council in 1965. In 1973, he was bestowed the title of Dan Madamin Zaria and was appointed the district head of Zaria and Kewaye.
Idris succeeded Sarki Aminu in 1975. On 10th January, 2015 he celebrated his 40th year’s anniversary and on 8th February 2020, he celebrated his 45th year’s anniversary on the throne.
Meanwhile, Kaduna state governor Mallam Nasir el-Rufa’i has described the death of the late emir of Zazzau Alhaji Dr. Shehu Idris as that of a rare gem, source of wisdom and guidance and a true father to all.
Governor el-Rufai who announced the death and burial of the late emir also disclosed that the Chief of Staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari was going to lead the federal government delegation for the burial which took place at the ancient city of Zaria.
According to the governor while announcing the emir ‘death, he said, “VERY SAD: It is with great sadness that I confirm the passing of the father of our state, His as much as possible during the funeral prayers and condolences.
“I have informed 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 His 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 al Highness Emir of Zazzau, Alh (Dr.) Shehu Idris CFR. He died at the 44 Military Hospital Kaduna today (Sunday) after a brief illness. Janazah prayer in Zaria is scheduled for 5pm in Sha Allah.
“All Covid-19 protocols to be complied withl. May Allah Grant his soul abode in Aljanna Firdaus. Amin” he prayed.
On his part, former Governor of Kaduna State and Senator who represented Kaduna North in the 6th and 7th National Assembly, Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi has described the death of the late Emir of Zazzau Dr. Shehu Idris as a colossal loss.
Senator Makarfi in condolence letter personally signed by him said, “I have received with shock and sadness, but also with total submission to the will of Allah, news of the death of our father, His Highness Alhaji Shehu Idris, Emir of Zazzau and Chairman of Kaduna State Council of Chiefs, earlier today.
“The late Emir of Zazzau was no doubt, a colossus the loss of whom has certainly created a vacuum, not only in Kaduna State, but the entire country, that will be difficult to fill”.
He said the late emir was not only a leader that was at peace with himself both was also with all that he interacted with, he lived peace and exuded it. “To him, no sacrifice was too much to make for the peace of his people and all.
“During my time as Governor of Kaduna State between 1999 and 2007, I benefitted immensely from his wise and fatherly counsel, especially at those times that we were trying to navigate through turbulent waters.
“His contributions to deliberations at the Security Council meetings, at which he was almost always present and punctual, were always incisive, laden with wisdom and a genuine desire for peaceful coexistence amongst the people of the state.
“In the late Alhaji Shehu Idris, Nigeria, nay humanity has loss a pillar, from the life and times of whom we should draw invaluable lessons in decency, respect for all, sacrifice and humility despite privileged background.
‘As I pray to Almighty Allah to forgive and grant him Jannatul Firdaus, I also convey my most heartfelt condolences to his family, the Zazzau Emirate Council, Kaduna State Council of Chiefs and the government and people of Kaduna State. I also pray to Allah (SWT) to grant us all, the fortitude to bear this loss”.
Also, the apex northern sociocultural group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said the death of the late emir Dr Shehu Idris was received with shock and sadness.
ACF in a condolence message through her National Publicity Secretary Mr Emmanuel Yawe said the news of the death of Alhaji Shehu Idris, the Emir of Zauzau at the age of 84 was quite sad.
“Until his death, he 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 and social changes but never lost his focus on his primary responsibility which is the maintenance of peace and progress in his Emirate.
“The Arewa Consultative Forum Condoles with his immediate family, the Zauzau Emirate and the Kaduna State government over this tragic and untimely loss.
“The forum will miss his fatherly advice on all issues that were tabled before him”.
