VP Shettima pays tribute to late FEDECO chief Kurfi, ex-NIA boss Zakari

…says when such elders die, part of history dies with them

By Kunle Sanni

Vice President Kashim Shettima has paid tribute to two distinguished elder statesmen from Katsina State: former Executive Secretary of the Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO), Alhaji Ahmadu Kurfi, and former Director General of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ibrahim Zakari. The two recently passed away at the ages of 93 and 81, respectively.

The Vice President described the late elder statesmen as the last of the great titans of their era.

Speaking on Saturday during a visit to the Kurfi family residence in Katsina, Vice President Shettima said:
“We are here at the behest of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to convey our condolences to the family, the government, and the people of Katsina State over the sad demise of our elder statesman, Alhaji Ahmadu Kurfi (Maradin Katsina).”

Reflecting on Kurfi’s passing, the Vice President noted solemnly:
“He was the last of the great titans. In African folklore, when such an elderly person dies, a part of history is lost.”

He prayed for the repose of Kurfi’s soul:
“May Allah grant his soul eternal rest and reward him with Aljannah Firdaus. May Allah also grant the family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

During his visit to the family of Ambassador Zakari, Vice President Shettima offered similar condolences, saying:
“We are here on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to extend our sympathies to the family, the Katsina Emirate Council, the government, and the people of Katsina State over the sad loss of our elder statesman, Ambassador Ibrahim Zakari (Talban Katsina).”

He continued:
“It is a huge loss, but he lived an eventful life worthy of emulation. This is a celebration of life, not a mourning of death.”

The Vice President emphasized Zakari’s exemplary legacy:
“If any of us could live a life as impactful as his, it would be a remarkable achievement. May Allah grant his soul eternal rest and reward him with Aljannah Firdaus. And may Allah give the family, the people, and the government of Katsina, as well as the entire nation, the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

Vice President Shettima lauded both Kurfi and Zakari for their substantial contributions to Nigeria’s development—Kurfi in electoral administration during the Second Republic and Zakari in diplomacy and national security as the former head of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency.