Buhari, Saraki mourn as Ahmadu is laid to rest

The remains of former diplomat, Alhaji Hamzat Ahmadu, were laid to rest yesterday in his home-town, Gwadabawa, Sokoto State.

Prayers were led by Chief Imam of Gwadabawa Central Mosque, Malam Isa Atu, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

The funeral, which was attended by Governor Aminu Tambuwal, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III and a former Minister of Defence, Gen. Aliyu Gusau, also had in attendance former Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Jubril Ayinla; Baba Addini of Lagos, Sheikh Abdul Hafeez and a former Minister of Finance, Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the Sultanate, the government and people of Sokoto State on the passing of the Walin Sokoto, Ambassador Hamzat Ahmadu.

According to the President in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media and Publicity), Garba Shehu, the death of Ambassador Ahmadu, who served in London and Washington DC was a great loss to his community and the entire Nigeria.

“I have learnt with deep shock and grief of the passing away of Alhaji Hamzat Ahmadu (Walin Sokoto). His death is a great loss to Sokoto State, the diplomatic and business communities and to the Nigerian public service.

“Alhaji Hamzat served meritoriously as a senior civil servant in the old Northern Nigeria Government and with the Federal Civil Service.”

Also, the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, yesterday expressed grief over the death of former Ambassador to the United States (U.S.), Hamzat Ahmadu.

Saraki in a condolence message to the government and people of Sokoto State, immediate family and friends of the deceased, signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said death is an inevitable end but quickly reminded the bereaved family to take solace in the fact that the departed diplomat lived a selfless life.

He said the late Ahmadu would be remembered for his passion and belief in unity and peaceful co-existence of all Nigerians, adding: “The news of the death of our dear elder statesman came to us with shock. He lived a fulfilled life, an accomplished diplomat, an amiable father and loving husband. His wise counsel and antecedents speak volume.”

He prayed God Almighty to grant the deceased eternal rest and the family the fortitude to bear the loss.

In his tribute, Tambuwal said the people of the state would continue to be proud of the deceased’s contributions to the development of Nigeria.

Also, Alhaji Ahmed Gusau, a former Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, described late Ahmadu as a role model for Nigerians.

He said: “He was an honest, sincere and complete gentleman and ever willing to help his country, state and community when he held various public offices.”

He, therefore, called on the federal and state governments to honour the deceased for his tremendous contributions to the socio-economic and political development of the country.