By Muhammad Kabiru Aliyu
Former Presidents, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, were among top Nigerian leaders that were in the ancient city of Zaria to condole and commiserate with the Family of the late Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji (Dr) Shehu Idris who passed away in the early hours Sunday, 20th, September, 2020. The two leaders both described the demise of the late and great Emir of Zazzau as a great loss, not only to Zazzau emirate and Kaduna State but a loss for the country in general. Governors of almost all the northern states and some of their colleagues from southern states were also in the palace for the condolence visit.
Other top Nigerians that were in the late Emir’s Palace for the condolence were the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji (Dr) Sa’ad Abubakar, Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, Emir of Jama’a, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammad Isa Muhammadu, Royal Fathers of Southern Kduna and other top Emirs and Chiefs from different parts of the country.
Leaders of different religious groups, including the incarcerated Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Yaqoub El-Zakzaky were in the Emir’s Palace for the condolence visit. Sheikh Zakzaky who was represented by his younger brother, Sheikh Badamasi Yaqoub El-Zakzaky and his only surviving Son, Sayyid Muhammad Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, prayed to the Almighty Allah to forgive the sins and shortcomings of the late Emir and admit him into His garden of eternal bliss on the day of each-to-himself.
Religious Clerics such as the leader of Kaduna wing of Izala sect, Sheikh Abdullahi Bala Lau, his followers and other Christian religious leaders such as Pastor Yohanna Buru, were among those that were in the Palace for the condolence and prayers for the late Emir.
Obasanjo and Jonathan concurred that throughout the period that the Emir was on the throne for almost half a century, he administered affairs of the Emirate as a bridge builder who did not also leave anyone in doubt that he was a true and renowned custodian of the culture of the people that he represented”, Obasanjo and Goodluck opined.
“He will be remembered for his role in uniting the people and his efforts towards the peace and security of the nation”, they said, paying to God Almighty to strengthen his family members and other well-wishers and grant his soul eternal peace”.
On his on part, the Speaker of the House of Reprentatives, Rt Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, said the late Emir was a man of integrity who was committed to his people.
He condoled the emirate, Kaduna State, the entire country. He prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the deceased eternal rest.
The Speaker urged the emirate to emulate the Virtues of the late Monarch by following his track record of peace and love for one another.
“The only way to honor him is to abide by his tenets and principles”, he added.
Earlier, the Governors of Niger, Sokoto, Ekiti, Jigawa, Plateau and Katsina States, who were at the Palace to pay their condolences to the family of the late Emir and the emirate, also expressed their heartfelt depression over the death of the Royal father.
The Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Palace Monitor, Alhaji Isa Adam Aliyu, the Waziri of Gwantu III, in company of the Editorial Team of Education Monitor Ltd, also paid his condolence at the Palace of the late Emir.
Among the personalities that were different religious and cultural leaders and organisations who included the Royal Fathers of Southern Kaduna who prayed for the Soul of the deceased.
Among early callers at the Palace for the condolence visit were the followers of the incarcerated leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Shekh Ibraheem Zakzaky who were led by Sheikh Abdulhamid Bello and the leader of the Christian Wing of the Movement, Pastor Yohanna Buru.
Secretary to the state government of Kaduna State, the Speaker, Kaduna State House of Assembly and the Emir of Jama’a were among those receiving guests at the palace, on behalf of the state government.
The SSG Thanked the former President, Speaker House of Representative and other guests for the condolence visit.