President Muhammadu Buhari has described the death of the Marafan Sokoto, Alhaji Umaru Shinkafi, as “a colossal loss to Nigeria.’’
Buhari made the remark on Friday in Sokoto in his condolence message to the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, the people and governments of Sokoto and Zamfara States.
The president was represented at the burial of the politician by the Interior Minister, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Danbazau (rtd), who led a seven-man delegation from the presidency.
Other members of the delegation were the Ministers of Defence, Water, Aviation, Director-General of the Department of State Services, Mr Lawal Daura, as well as presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu.
Buhari said: “His (Shinkafi’s) demise is not only a loss to his family, Sokoto and Zamfara states, but to the entire nation.”
While praying for the repose of the soul of the elder statesman, the president prayed that Allah should grant his family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
The Sultan commended the president for sending a high powered delegation to represent him at the burial.
He lauded the governors of Sokoto, Zamfara and Kebbi states for their concern and the action they took since the demise of the Marafa on Thursday.
Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State described the death as as a national loss
Governor AbdulAziz Yari of Zamfara State led a special prayer for the repose of the soul of the deceased.
Shinkafi died in a London Hospital on Thursday.
He was buried on Friday at the Hubbaren Shehu in Sokoto.
The burial prayer was held after the Friday prayer at the Sultan Bello Mosque, adjacent the Sultan Palace in Sokoto.
The prayer was led by the Chief Imam of the mosque, Alhaji Usman Akwarra.
The prayer was attended by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, and other traditional rulers from across the country.
