By MUHAMMAD GAZALI GARBA

Vice President Kashim Shettima on Thursday attended the funeral prayer of the Sardaunan Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji, who passed away earlier in the day after a protracted illness.

The funeral prayer, held at the Sultan Muhammad Bello Juma'at Mosque in Sokoto, drew a large gathering of dignitaries and mourners.

Among those in attendance were the Deputy Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Idris Muhammad Gobir; the immediate past Governor of the state, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III; former and serving ministers; senior government officials; traditional rulers; and hundreds of sympathisers.

The funeral prayer was led by the Chief Imam of the Sultan Muhammad Bello Juma'at Mosque, Malam Bello Akwara.

After the prayer, Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Idris Muhammad Gobir, paid a condolence visit to the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar III.

They described the passing of the late Sardaunan Sokoto as a monumental loss to Sokoto State and Nigeria, noting that his lifetime of distinguished service and immense contributions to national development and the traditional institution would remain a lasting legacy.

They prayed to Almighty Allah (SWT) to forgive his shortcomings, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus, and give his family, the people of Sokoto State, and the entire nation the strength and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.