Vice-President Kashim Shettima has paid tribute to former Executive Secretary, Federal Electoral Commission, Ahmadu Kurfi, and an ex-Director-General, Nigerian Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Ibrahim Zakari.

The two elder statesmen who were from Katsina State recently passed away at 93 and 81, respectively.

A statement by the spokesperson for the Vice-President, Stanley Nkwocha, said that Mr Shettima spoke during his visit to the family residences of the two elder statesmen in Katsina.

Mr Shettima described the late elder statesmen as the last of the great titans to have emerged from their time.

He said, “We’re here at the behest of President Bola Tinubu to convey our condolence to the family, government and people of Katsina State over the sad demise of our elder statesman, Alhaji Ahmadu Kurfi, the Maradin Katsina.’’

Reflecting on Kurfi’s passing, Mr Shettima noted, “He is the last of the great titans. In African folktale, when such an elderly person dies, a part of history goes.May Allah grant his soul eternal rest and reward him with Aljannah Firdaus. May Allah also grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

Also, during his subsequent visit to the family of Zakari, the vice-president stated, “We are here on behalf of President Tinubu to offer our condolences to the family, Katsina Emirate Council, the government and people of the state over the demise of our elder statesman.

He said, “It is a huge loss but he led an eventful life worthy of emulation by all of us. It’s a celebration of life and not a celebration of death. May Allah grant his soul eternal rest and reward him with Aljannah Firdaus and grant the family, the people and government of Katsina and by extension, the nation the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

Also, the vice president praised the deceased elder statesmen for their significant contributions to Nigeria’s development.

Thev late Kurfi was in electoral administration during the Second Republic, and the late Zakari was in diplomacy and national security as the former head of the NIA.

(NAN)