‘A great loss to Nigeria’ — Shettima mourns late Emir of Zuru in Kebbi
Vice President Kashim Shettima on Friday attended the funeral prayer of Muhammad Sani Sami, the late Emir of Zuru, in Kebbi state.
Sani Sami, a retired major general and Gomo II of Zuru, died last Sunday in a London hospital.
The funeral prayer, which held after the Jumu’at service, drew prominent dignitaries including the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the emirs of Kano, Argungu, Yauri, Gummi, Anka, and Borgu, alongside the Etsu Nupe and other traditional rulers from across the country.
Speaking during the condolence visit, Shettima described the late emir’s passing as a national loss.
“Today is a sad day for the people of Kebbi and indeed for Nigeria. I am here on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to personally convey his heartfelt condolences to His Excellency, the Governor of Kebbi State, the family of our late Emir, the Zuru Emirate, and the entire people of the North,” he said.
He praised the emir as an elder statesman who dedicated his life to God, humanity, and the nation.
“He served this country in various capacities and placed his life on the line to keep Nigeria united. May Allah grant his soul eternal rest in Aljannah Firdaus and give his family, the Kebbi State Government, and the people of the Zuru Emirate the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss,” he added.
The emir was later laid to rest at the Zuru Emir’s Palace in the presence of Shettima, Kebbi governor Nasir Idris, the Sultan of Sokoto, other traditional rulers, and dignitaries.
The Nigerian Army honoured the late emir with a military parade.
Ahead of the burial, Idris had set up committees to ensure a smooth ceremony, including a main organising committee under the Zuru Emirate Council chaired by the Chief of Wasagu, Muktari Musa, and a state government delegation led by Muhammad Usman, speaker of the Kebbi house of assembly.
