BY Abubakar Muhammad Musa(Saraki)
linguistmam@gmail.com
Shehu Idris was born in the ancient city of Zaria (Zazzau Emirate), Nigeria’s City Center of Learning (Home of Scholars) on 20th February 1936 into the family of Malam Abdulkarimu (the founder of Katsinawa Ruling House of Zazzau Emirate), through his Mother, Aminatu and his Father, Malam Idrisu Sambo (Mai Anguwa).
Like any other Child of Muslims, Shehu Idris attended Qur’anic School at the early age of 11 years, from 1947 to 1950 where he started his western education at Zaria Middle School to 1955, where he joined the re-known Katsina Training College.
After completing his KTC in 1958, he later joins the Institute of Administration, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 1961 to 1962, and 1963 to 1965 respectively, Shehu Idris attended Staff Development Center, Kaduna and Public Administration Institute, Australia from 1968 to 1969.
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Alhaji Shehu Idris started his career as Primary School Teacher in 1958, where he reached the position of Head Master before leaving the carder in 1961. He worked with Zaria Native Authority Treasury from 1961 to 1962, from where he joined Zazzau Emirate Council as Principal Private Secretary to the then Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Muhammadu Aminu (the 17th Fulani Emir of Zazzau and grandson of Malam Abdulkarimu, the third Fulani Emir of Zazzau Emirate and founder of Katsinawa ruling House).
Also in 1963, Alhaji Shehu Idris served with the Ministry of Local Government Northern Region, Secretary, Zaria Local Council Authority, and Liaison Officer between Government and Local Authority from 1973 to 1975. Appointed as Dan Madamin Zazzau and District Head of Birni da Kewaye (Zaria City and its Environs) in 1973, the appointment he held until 1975.
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After the demise of the 17th Fulani Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Muhammadu Aminu, Alhaji Shehu Idris, Dan Madamin Zazzau and District Head of Birni da Kewaye (Zaria City and its Environs) was opportune to be appointed to succeed Late Alhaji Muhammadu Aminu as the 18th Emir of Zazzau in the Fulani dynasty on 8th February 1975, the position he is Holden till date.
National honours and appointments
The celebrant, the 18th Emir of Zazzau in Fulani dynasty under Katsinawa ruling House, Alhaji Shehu Idris hold enormous positions and Awards, these include but not limited to:
(1) Grand Patron several Clubs and Associations 1975 to date
(2) Grand Patron to many Schools, Universities and Associations Nationwide – 1975 to date
(3) Appointed as Member of Advisory Committee on Pilgrims Affairs by the then Federal Government (Military Regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo) -1978
(4) First Chairman of Kaduna State Broadcasting Corporation -1978
(5) Awarded with the National Medal of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR – 1979)
(6) Member, National Universities Commission (NUC) – 1980
(7) Director, Board of UAC of Nigeria Plc -1980
(8) Fellow, Institute of Management Consultant -1982
(9) Awarded Doctorate Degree by University of Jos -1982
(10) President, Northern States Turf Clubs Association – 1983 date
(11) Director, Board of NTC Limited – 1983
(12) Awarded Honorary Doctorate by the Federal University of Technology, Minna -1986
(13) Pro-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Minna -1986
(14) Chairman, Kaduna State Council of Chiefs -1987 date
(15) Appointed as Member, National Traditional Rulers and Leaders of thought -1986
(16) Member, Joint Traditional Rulers and Consultative Committee of Eminent Personalities in Nigeria on Foreign Matters – 1996
(17) Member, National Traditional Rulers Forum -1996
(18) Fellow, Charted Institute of Transport, London – 1993
(19) Appointed by the Federal Government of Nigeria as the National Amirul Hajj -1993
(20) Appointed as Chairman, Committee of Patrons of the 7th All African Trade Fair, Kaduna 1996
Attended and presented so many papers at seminars and conferences within and outside Nigeria.
Represented Federal Government of Nigeria at Several International Conferences globally.
Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Dr. Shehu Idris, CFR is a man of people, a Royalist with all the required connections, in one way or the other. For instance, Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Faruk Bahago is a son-in-law to the Emir, Late Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sir Abubakar III is a Father-in-law to the Emir, his predecessor, Late Alhaji Muhammadu Aminu (the 17th Fulani Emir of Zazzau) was his Father-in-law, Late Alhaji Dr. Ado Bayero is his best friend and close ally. On this note I want to condole the Celebrant, the Emir of Zazzau over the passing away of his brother, late San Kano, Ado Bayero, he did not live long to witness this memorial occasion, Allah ya kyauta makwanci. Amin.
Alhaji Dr. Shehu Idris, CFR has four wives;
1) Hajiya Habiba (Senior Wife)
2) Hajiya Fatima (Second Wife)
3) Hajiya Binta (third wife and daughter of late Sarki Aminu) and
4) Hajiya Mariya (as the fourth wife and daughter to Sultan Abubakar III, a sister to the incumbent Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III).
Alhaji Dr. Shehu Idris, CFR has 39 Children with late Madaki, Prince Aliyu Shehu Idris as the eldest, and Princess Bilkisu Shehu Idris as the youngest.
Out of the total number of 39 Children of the Emir seven, 5 males:
1. Aliyu Madaki
2 Kabiru Madaki
3. Ahmad Shehu
4. Hassan Shehu Idris and
5. Mu’azu Shehu Idris
2 females;
1) Halima Shehu and
2) Zaliha Shehu Idris answered the call of their creator (may their souls rest in perfect peace, ‘Allah shi jikan magabatanmu, Allah shi kyauta tamu bayan tasu’ ” Amin.
While 32 out of the 39 children are alive, with Salaha Shehu Idris (the second born of the Emir), as the eldest, she has sixteen female siblings with Bilkisu Shehu Idris as the youngest, plus herself, making 17.
Similarly, the Emir has 16 male children currently alive, with Aminu Shehu Idris as the eldest and Usman Shehu Idris (Abba) as the youngest male.
Thus, the following is the list of all the Emir’s children:
1. Late Aliyu Shehu Idris born in 1962.
2. Salaha Shehu Idris born in 1965.
3.Amina Shehu Idris born in 1968.
4.Maryam Shehu Idris born in 1972.
5.Sa’adatu Shehu Idris born in 1972.
6.Safiya Shehu Idris(Balaraba) born in 1974.
7. Late Ahmad Shehu Idris (Alhaji) …
8.Late Kabiru Shehu Idris born in 1975.
9. Aminu Shehu Idris born in 1975.
10. Late Hassan Shehu born in 1976.
11. Hussaina Shehu Idris born in 1976.
12. IBRAHIM Shehu Idris born in 1976
13. Sambo Shehu Idris born in 1977
14. Garba Shehu Idris born in 1977.
15. Bashir Shehu Idris born in 1979
16. Late Halima Shehu Idris born in 1978
17. Rukayya Shehu Idris (magajiya) born in 1978
18. Saratu Shehu Idris born in 1978.
19. Late Zaliha Shehu Idris born in 1979
20. Fatima Shehu Idris born in 1979
21. Yusuf Shehu Idris born in 1980
22. Bello Shehu Idris born in 1980.
23. Aisha Shehu Idris born in 1980
24. Abubakar Shehu Idris born in 1981
25. Nuhu Shehu Idris born in 1981.
26.Umar Shehu Idris born in 1983
27.Maimuna Shehu Idris born in 1983.
28.Nasiru Shehu Idris born in 1983.
29. Rabi Shehu Idris born in 1983
30.Jamila Shehu Idris born in 1984.
31.Sulaiman Shehu Idris born in 1984.
32.Mukhtar Shehu Idris born in 1985.
33.Hadiza Shehu Idris born in 1986
34. Kasimu Shehu Idris born in 1987.
35. Zainab Shehu Idris born in 1987
36. Late Muazu Shehu Idris born in 1988
37. Usman Shehu Idris.(Abba)…
38.Habiba Shehu Idris born in 2003.
39.Bilkisu Shehu Idris born in 2004.
The Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji (Dr.) Shehu Idris has 142 direct grandchildren.
He was turbaned as the 18th Emir in his thirties.
Zazzau Emirate Council, the entire Zagezagi as well as their friends and well-wishers have commemorated and celebrated His Royal Highness, the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Dr. Shehu Idris, CFR on his 45th Anniversary on the Throne, as the Emir.
A special Royal Salute to the eldest daughter of the Emir, Hajiya Salaha Shehu Idris, a housewife of Architect Aminu Umaru Idris (Dangaladiman Zazzau, District Head of Rigasa)
Abubakar Muhammad Musa(Saraki) is a Freelance Precision Broadcast Journalist, Public and Current Affairs Commentator, a Linguist and Historian. Hailed from Zaria (Nigeria’s City Center of Learning, Home of Learned Scholars) and can be reached via @linguistmam on twitter.
linguistmam@gmail.com
