Yar’Adua, IBB, govs attend prayer for late Katsina emir

Segun Olaniyan, Katsina with Agency Report - 12.03.2008

President Umaru Yar’Adua, former military heads of state, General Ibrahim Babangida and General Abdulsalami Abubakar and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Honourable Dimeji Bankole, on Tuesday attended the third day prayer for the repose of the soul of the late Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Kabir Usman, held in Katsina.

Other prominent persons at the occasion included the immediate past national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Ahmadu Ali; governors Ibrahim Shehu Shema of Katsina, Sule Lamido of Jigawa, Mamman Ali of Yobe, Modu Sheriff of Borno State and the deputy governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Muktar Shagari.

Also present were the Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin; former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim; emirs of Daura, Nasarawa, Hadeija, Zazzau, and district heads, traditional title holders, Islamic scholars, ministers, emirs and former governors, among others.

Thousands of persons had converged on the palace for the third day prayer as early 8.00 a.m.

The Chief Imam of Katsina, Alhaji Liman Lawal, led the prayer at 10.55 a.m. and was followed by other Islamic preachers, all of whom prayed Allah to grant the deceased paradise (Al-Janatul Firdaus).

The Wazirin Katsina, Alhaji Sani Lugga, thanked thousands of sympathisers who converged on Katsina for the prayer and wished them safe journey back to their destinations.