Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Friday, joined thousands of mourners to pay their last respects and attend the funeral rites of Sheikh Dahiru Usman-Bauchi.
Shettima and other prominent figures arrived at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa International Airport, Bauchi, about 1:45 p.m. for the funeral rites, slated for 3 p.m. on Friday.
Shettima was accompanied by Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser (NSA), Idris Mohammed, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Muhammad Al-Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health, Senators Shehu Buba and AbulAziz Yari, among others.
They were received by Governor Bala Mohammed, his Deputy, Auwal Jatau and members of the state executive council.
Earlier, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Governors Abba Yusuf and Mohammed Bago of Kano and Niger states, arrived Bauchi metropolis for the funeral.
Former Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Yayale Ahmed, and Bala Wunti, former Chief Upstream Investment Officer of the NNPC Upstream Investment Services (NUIMS), also came in
Usman-Bauchi, 98, died on Thursday at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi.
The revered scholar, also a recipient of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), was regarded as one of Nigeria’s most influential Islamic scholars and celebrated for his vast knowledge, spiritual guidance and lifelong commitment to Islamic propagation.
Born in 1927 in Gombe, Usman-Bauchi devoted his life to advancing Islamic education, promoting peaceful coexistence and fostering unity in the country.
He was also the supreme leader of the Tijjaniya in Nigeria, an Islamic Sufi group.
His teachings, focusing on moral discipline, tolerance and adherence to Islamic principles, earned him mass followership and deep respect within and beyond Nigeria.
Usman-Bauchi played a significant role in community development, mentorship of young scholars and strengthening of religious understanding.
Thousands of mourners thronged Bauchi to pay their last respects to the revered Islamic scholar.
The Bauchi State Government had declared Friday work-free day to enable residents pay their last respects and attend the funeral prayer.
Security was beefed up as police operatives and road marshals had been deployed to strategic locations to control traffic as well as maintain law and order.
Maulud Dahiru Bauchi, who spoke on behalf of the late scholar’s family, said the funeral prayer was held in accordance with the deceased’s written will.
The will specified that Sheikh Sharif Saleh, the Grand Imam of Nigeria, would preside over the congregation.
