“I Owe Long Life, Peaceful Coexistence To Almighty Allah” – these have always been the humble words of the Emir of Zazzau Alhaji Shehu Idris whenever he is approached for a remark on his decades of accomplishments on the throne of Zazzau.
The 18th Fulani Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris marked the 41st year of his ascension on Monday, February 8, 2016.
Alhaji Shehu Idris, the 18th Fulani Emir of Zazzau, was born in 1937 in the ancient city of Zazzau. He succeeded his mentor, Alhaji Muhamadul Aminu, the 17th Fulani Emir also from same Katsinawa dynasty, on February 8, 1975 during the regime of Brigadier Abba Kyari, the then governor of the north central state.
He was born on the 20th of February, 1936 to Mallam Idris Autan Sambo.
Shehu Idris is the grandson of Mallam Muhammadu Sambo, the tenth Emir of Zazzau who reigned between 1878 and1888.
Muhammadu Sambo was the son of Mallam Abdulkarimu Bakatsine who was the 3rd Emir of Zazzau between 1835 and 1846.
At the age of five, Shehu Idris received Qura’nic education from Mallam Bawa and Mallam Abubakar Unguwan Iya, Zaria.
And at the age of eleven, Shehu was enrolled at Zaria Elementary School in 1947.
He lost his father in 1948 while he was only 12, but forged ahead and secured admission into the Zaria Middle School in 1950.
He also attended the Katsina Training College for two years where he received training as a teacher in 1957 and commenced his teaching career in 1958 at Hunkuyi.
This took him to Zangon Aya and Paki as headmaster and later to Zaria as the first Administrator of Kaura Primary School before graduating in Public Administration from Nigerian and Australian institutions.
In the rulership circle, Shehu rose from the position of Dan madamin Zazzau and District Head Zaria da kewaye between 1973 and 1975 to the exalted throne of the Emir in1975.
In Kaduna state and indeed throughout Nigeria and beyond, he has since earned the synonym of the instrument of peace for which he has dedicated 41 years of his life.
He achieved this by persistently and consistently preaching peace, cooperation, harmony and giving assurances, confidence, and hope to different nationalities, cultures, social, classes, races and religions.
In recognition of his quest for peaceful coexistence and drive for the overall development of his people, he has been conferred with several national and international awards including Doctorate Degrees from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, University of Nigeria, Nsuka and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Written by Abdul-Azeez Suleiman.
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