Buhari, Saraki, Dogara, others mourn Idris

FORMER Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF), Alhaji Gidado Idris, who died on Friday night in Abuja, was buried at Gudu Cemetery in FCT on Saturday amid tears and prayers from families and the Muslim community.

In his condolence message, President Muhammadu Buhari described the death of the former SGF, Idris, as a big loss to the nation.

A closed family source disclosed to the Sunday Tribune that he died in a hospital in Abuja after a protracted illness at the age of 82.

The deceased was appointed as SGF during the regime of Late  General Sani Abacha in 1993, where he served the country until 1999 when he retired.

He had since been buried according to Islamic injunctions.

In a statement by Special Adviser to the president on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina in Abuja on Saturday, Buhari who expressed sadness at the passing of the admirable octogenarian, said “Being a highly experienced and quintessential technocrat who traversed the different stages of the political evolution of the country, his wise counsel will surely be missed.”

He said the late Mallam Idris, in addition to rising to the pinnacle of his public career as SGF, also served several civilian and military administrations meritoriously as federal permanent secretary, noting that he left inspiring imprints.

He enjoined current and upcoming civil and public servants to emulate the cherished values of hard work, discipline, professionalism and integrity which the late distinguished nationalist embodied.

President Buhari also commiserated with the family and associates of Mallam Idris, and prayed that God will comfort them.

Meanwhile, governor,  Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai of Kaduna state has described Alhaji Gidado Idris as distinguished elder statesman.

In a statement in Kaduna  by his media aide, Samuel Aruwan, said the  governor Idris served Nigeria well.

“Idris, who hailed from Zaria in Kaduna state, was appointed SGF in  1993. He retired in 1999 after a distinguished civil service career that started before Nigeria’s independence. Alhaji Idris was a dedicated public servant who provided decades of distinguished service to this country. He was a father to us, widely admired for his humility and discipline.

“I personally benefitted from his humility, wisdom and foresight, when I served as a presidential advisor in the Programme Implementation and Monitoring Committee from 1998 to 1999. May Almighty Allah grant his soul Aljannah Firdausi, and his family the fortitude to bear this loss,” it stated.

The president of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki,  in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said with the death of Alhaji Idris, Nigeria had lost an elder statesman and a bridge builder.

“Nigeria has lost a highly principled bridge-builder who cultivated a high degree of friendship from the lowest to the highest across the country.

“His life and service embodied the best and the most challenging chapters of our nation’s historical development,  where he served with total dedication and distinction.

“He will be sorely missed as a humble, yet passionate patriot, particularly at a time when his breed are thin on the ground,” the statement said.

While commiserating with the immediate family, Zaria Emirate Council, people and government of Kaduna State, Saraki prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and asked Almighty Allah (SWA) to grant him Ajannah Firdaus.