By Ovie Okpare
The Emir of Zaria in Kaduna State, His Highness Emir of Zazzau, Alh. Shehu Idris, is dead.
The late traditional ruler died at the 44 Military Hospital Kaduna on Sunday.
He was said to have been briefly sick before his passage.
He was aged 84.
Idris was the 18th Fulani Emir of Zazzau and was the Chairman of Zazzau Emirate Council and Kaduna State Emirate Council.
He ascended the throne on February 8, 1975 following the demise of Alhaji Muhammadu Aminu, the 17th Emir of Zazzau.
Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, confirmed the passage of the revered monarch on Sunday on his verified Twitter handle.
El-Rufai, however, disclosed that Janazah prayer in honour of the departed Zaria king would hold at 5pm today (Sunday).
He described the monarch as sad.
“VERY SAD: It is with great sadness that I confirm the passing of the father of our state, His Highness Emir of Zazzau, Alh (Dr.) Shehu Idris CFR. He died at the 44 Military Hospital Kaduna today after a brief illness. Janazah prayer in Zaria is scheduled for 5pm in Sha Allah”, the Kaduna governor tweeted.
