On the early hours of September 20, 2020, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Mal. Nasir El-Rufai announced the passing away of his Royal Highness, Alh. Dr. Shehu Idris, the Emir of Zazzau after a brief illness.
WHO IS LATE ALHAJI, DR. SHEHU IDRIS?
Alh. Dr. Shehu Idris, the late Emir of Zazzau
Alh. Dr. Shehu Idris was born on the 20th of February 1936 – 20 September 2020, he died at the age of 84. He was the 18th Fulani Emir of Zazzau and the Chairman of Zazzau Emirate Council and Kaduna State Emirate Council. He ascended the throne on February 8, 1975 following the demise of Alhaji Muhammadu Aminu, the 17th Emir of Zazzau.
Prince Charles of Wales and the late Emir of Zazzau Alhaji, Dr. Shehu Idris in year 2006. (Source: Getty Images)
He was born into the family of Malam Idrisu Auta and Hajiya AminatuiIdris in Unguwar Iya when his father was the head of Unguwar Iya. His father Malam Idrisu Auta who was sometimes called Auta Sambo. 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 being tutored by two Islamic scholars in Kuyanbana 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 then 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, Paki, Hancin Kare 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 as the 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.
He was one of the first set of Nigerian students who went to study in Australia through sponsorship of the Australian High Commission in Nigeria.
Entrance of the Palace of the Zazzau Emirate
Idris succeeded Sarki Aminu in 1975. On 10th of January 2015 he celebrated his 40 years coronation anniversary and 8th February 2020, he celebrated his 45 years coronation anniversary.
Alh Dr. Shehu Idris who celebrated his 45th years on throne in February 2020 died on Sunday morning 20 September 2020 at the age of 84 at 44 Nigerian Army Reference hospital in Kaduna around 11am.
The late monarch has been buried according to Islamic rites in the Emirate of Zazzau Kaduna State on Sunday evening.
Death of the monarch has sent shock wave across the Northern and Nigeria at large. He is going to be missed for his fatherly and exemplary leadership in the North and Nigeria at large. His death came at a time when the North and Nigeria needs him the most.
As Muslim we have nothing to say but; "we are from Allah and unto him is our return". May the Almighty Allah grant his soul an eternal rest (Ameen).
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