As Nigerians mourn the death of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Gidado Idris, a close source in the family has revealed that he died of natural causes.
The source, who does not want his name in print, told Sunday Sun yesterday that the former SGF had been ill but was quietly undergoing medications. The source, who refused to disclose the ailment suffered by the late elder statesman, said that when his condition worsened last Thursday, he was rushed to the hospital but he could not come out alive. The former SGF died last Friday night in Abuja at the age of 82.
Meanwhile, the late Gidado was buried at Gudu Cemetery in the FCT yesterday amid tears and tributes from family members, friends and associates.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the burial, which was concluded around 3 p.m., was attended by the Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha and Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, among others.
Other dignitaries included the former Deputy President of the Senate, Sen. Ibrahim Mantu; former FCT Minister, Alhaji Aliyu Modibbo; former SGF, Babagana Kingibe; the Executive Secretary, Abuja National Mosque, Alhaji Ibrahim Jega.
Also at the burial were former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to late Military Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, Maj. Hamza Almustapha and former governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State. In his tribute to the deceased, the SGF, Mustapha, said he was among the brilliant technocrats produced by the country over the years.
He described him as “an embodiment of generous spirit, hard work and an experienced public servant.”
He said the late former SGF was endowed with institutional memory of the things that happened in the course of Nigeria’s journey to nationhood.
He also described the late Gidado as a humble, thorough and simple man who was very accessible to whoever stepped into his office as SGF.
“I believe he was endowed with institutional memory of the things that happened in the course of Nigeria’s growth as a nation. The death was a huge loss to the family and the nation at large.” Former Nigeria’s Ambassador to the UK, Amb. Sarki Tafida, who expressed shock over the sudden death of Gidado, also said it was a huge lose to the nation. He said: “When I got the news earlier today, I was shocked but I know that life is in the hands of God and Allah can take one’s life at anytime.”
The eldest son of the deceased, Alhaji Ali Gidado, described his father as a devoted family man and principled civil servant who taught his children to fear Allah wherever they found themselves.
|Sun
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