Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, was among the hundreds of Muslim faithful who attended the funeral prayer of the late Hajiya Umma el-Rufai at the Abuja Central Mosque, yesterday.

Mother of the immediate past governor of the state, Nasir el-Rufai, died in Cairo on Friday, while he was released from detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to attend his mother’s funeral.

President Bola Tinubu and several Nigerians sent condolence messages to the El-Rufai family over the death of their matriarch.

The funeral prayer was attended by senior government officials and public figures, including National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Governor Umar Baggo of Nigeria State, Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State and former governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

Also at the event were the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamali, Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar, and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, Peter Obi, as well as captains of industry.

The session was followed by the burial at the Gudu Cemetery in the Apo area of Abuja.

Mohammed Bello el-Rufai, the deceased’s grandson and member representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, confirmed the arrival and funeral arrangements in a statement posted on X yesterday morning.

ALSO, the immediate past governor of Ekiti State and former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Dr Kayode Fayemi, mourned the matriarch.

In a statement issued yesterday by his Media Office, Fayemi described the matriarch’s death as a profound loss, not only to the el-Rufai family but also to all who were touched by her life of humility, faith, and service.

He noted that the late Hajiya Umma lived a life defined by strong moral values, devotion to family, and commitment to community, which he said are evident in her son’s life and public service.

The former NGF boss extended his condolences to the ex-governor and the entire el-Rufai family, urging them to find strength and comfort in the memories of the deceased’s impactful life.