Wazirin Sokoto, Junaidu dies at 85

The 12th Wazirin Sokoto, Dr Usman Junaidu, died early yesterday at his Gidadawa residence in Sokoto North Local Government Area at the age of 85 after a protracted illness. He was turbaned as the 12th Wazirin Sokoto after the death of his father, Waziri Junaidu in 1997.

A seasoned teacher and administrator, the late Waziri graduated from Al’azhar University in Cairo, Egypt in 1965 where he read Shari’ah Law. He was once a teacher at the College of Islamic and Arabic Studies, now Sheikh Abubakar Mahmud Gumi Memorial Collage where he rose to become the principal.

He held several positions at the local and state levels and was also sole administrator and chairman of Birnin Kebbi Local Government Area, now the capital of Kebbi State.

According to his brother, Professor Abdulkadir Junaidu, the late Waziri had been a rallying point for the Junaidu family, descendants of Sheikh Usman bin Fodiyo’s daughter, Nana Asma’u. He said the deceased brought a lot of development to the Northwest and the Sultanate Council.

“He also lived a humble and fulfilled life. May Allah to grant him Jannatul Firdaus,” he added.

He was buried at the Hubbaren Shehu after a funeral prayer led by the Chief Imam of Sultan Bello Mosque, Sheikh Malami Akwara. Dignitaries at the burial included Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar and the Emir of Gwandu, among others. He is survived by two wives, 14 children, grand and great grandchildren. Among his siblings is the Chairman, Advisory Council to the Sultan on Moon Sighting, Professor Abdulkadir Junaidu.