The Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, on Sunday led the Federal Government's delegation to witness the laying to rest of the late Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, one of Nigeria's traditional leaders. The delegation include the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika Senior Special Assistant to the President on media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu. Alhaji Idris died aged 84 in the hospital on Sunday in Kaduna state after a short admission. The remains of the monarch have been laid to rest at his palace in Zaria besides some past emirs of the emirate.
Alhaji Idris, who was the 18th Fulani Emir of Zazzau, was appointed on February 15, 1975 and spent 45 years on the throne.
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed shock over the death of the emir.
A statement by President Buhari's media aide, Malam Garba Shehu, said the president sent a condolence message to Kaduna State's Governor Nasir El-Rufai, the government and people of Kaduna State over the emir's demise.
"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.
"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," the president said.
Similarly, the Kaduna state government has declared three days mourning period for the late Alhaji Idris.
Governor El-Rufai's Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Mr. Muyiwa Adeleke, announced this in a statement on Monday.
Adeleke said public offices would open on September 21 and 22, but "there will be a public holiday on September 23 to honour his memory."
According to him flags will fly at half-mast during the mourning period.