The Wazirin Fika, Alhaji Adamu Fika, who died on Tuesday at the age of 90, was yesterday buried according to Islamic rites at Unguwar Sarki cemetery in Kaduna.
Daily Trust reports that hundreds of people, including top government officials, both serving and former, attended the funeral prayer, which was led by Kaduna-based Islamic Scholar, Dr. Ahmad Gumi, around 4:15 p.m. at Sultan Bello Central Mosque.
Some of the dignitaries in attendance included National Security Adviser (NSA) Malam Nuhu Ribadu, who led the federal government delegation to the funeral.
A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, and the chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Jalal Arabi, were part of the federal government team.
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In a remark after the funeral prayer, Dr Ahmad Gumi described the late Malam Adamu Fika as a gentle soul worthy of emulation.
“We pray to Allah to forgive his shortcomings and grant him Jannatul Firdaus. He will be remembered as a northern elder worthy of emulation because such elders are rare in society due to his good leadership,” he said.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed grief over the passing of the elder statesman and one-time Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
The president, in a statement on Wednesday by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, recalled the salient roles the late Wazirin Fika played in nurturing the enduring institution responsible for the articulation and implementation of public policies at a trying time for the Federal Civil Service.
He said the late Fika’s contributions both as Head of Service and chairman of different civil service reform panels were indelible in the annals of Nigeria’s history.
“Alhaji Adamu Fika’s life of service to Nigeria saw him hold various important positions, before his elevation to the Office of Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; a post he held until his retirement,” the president said.
Similarly, Ribadu described the late Fika as a Titanic figure and one of the northern heroes in terms of public service.
He also said late Fika was a wonderful Nigerian who had a fulfilled life and contributed immensely to the growth of the country.
Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State described the death of Fika as a great loss to the Fika Emirate and Yobe State and the nation.
“The death of Alhaji Adamu Fika has closed a door of consultation for our government and created a blockage to borrow from the wealth of experiences of an accomplished technocrat and seasoned administrator,” Buni said in a statement by his media aide, Mamman Muhammad.
Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, said Adamu Fika was “An astute citizen whose contributions to the overall development and unity of the country will remain in our memories for long. He was a respected elder statesman and skilled administrator.”
