Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday led mourners at the funeral of former Minister of Finance and Sardaunan Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji, describing the late elder statesman as “a behemoth of institutional memory” whose contributions to Nigeria would never be forgotten.
Alhaji, who died earlier on Thursday at the age of 88 after a brief illness, was laid to rest in Sokoto following Islamic funeral rites (Janaza).
On arrival in the state, Shettima paid a condolence visit to the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, where prayers were offered for the repose of the former minister, according to a statement by his media aide, Stanley Nkwocha.
Paying tribute to the late statesman, the Vice President said Alhaji’s legacy of public service would endure, adding that the Federal Government would ensure he is immortalised.
“He was a behemoth of institutional memory who will never be forgotten,” Shettima said, noting that the late Alhaji would be remembered for his dedicated service to the nation.
The Vice President also disclosed that the Federal Government would immortalise the former finance minister in recognition of his contributions to Nigeria’s development.
Shettima prayed for Almighty Allah to grant the deceased eternal rest and give his family the strength to bear the loss.
Alhaji served as Minister of National Planning before becoming Minister of Finance during the military administration of General Ibrahim Babangida. Following his tenure in government, he was appointed Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, a position he held until 1996.
His public service career began in 1964 as an Assistant Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Finance. He later rose through the ranks to become Permanent Secretary in the then Federal Ministry of Trade, earning a reputation as one of Nigeria’s most experienced public administrators.
Accompanying the Vice President to Sokoto were Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hadejia; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu; Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi; and the Special Adviser to the President on General Duties in the Office of the Vice President, Dr Aliyu Modibbo, among other senior government officials.
