Alhaji Shehu Malami, a famous businessman who is the Yarima of Sokoto, has passed away aged 85.
POLITICS NIGERIA learned that Malami died on Monday in Cairo, Egypt, where he lived. He was briefly ill.
A statement by the Sokoto State government late on Monday night confirmed the former Nigerian High Commissioner of South Africa’s demise.
“It is with sublime submission to the will of Allah (SWT) that I received the news of the death of an illustrious son and one the leaders of the Sokoto Caliphate, Alhaji Shehu Malami (Sarkin Sudan of Wurno).
“Aged 85, the late potentate was an accomplished banker and industrialist whose footprints are still visible on the national landscape.
“Vastly educated and referred to as “the Oxford man”, late Alhaji Malami was bom in Sokoto, where he had his early education. He was also at basic schools at Bida and Katsina. Later he was variously in Colleges in England for his GCE ordinay and advanced levels. Later he bagged a degree in law from the Middle Temple, London and was a visiting scholar at Wolfecon College Cambridge. He was also an Associate Member of St.. Anthony’s College, Oxford.
“Back home he worked as Private Secretay and then as Special Assistant to Sultan Saddiq Abubakar III. He also had a stint at the BBC as a broadcaster. He moved on to greater heights becoming a technocrat and banker. On the international scene, his presence was felt as a member of the International Advisory Council of the World Economic Forum Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland.
“Humble and astute, he would be remembered as a repository of the norms and values that make Sokoto Caliphate tick. His knowledge of the country, its politics and economy would also be missed on the national scene, especially at this time of another democratic transition.
“On behalf of the government and good people of Sokoto state, I join His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, in praying for the repose of his soul.
“May Jannatul Firdaus be his abode. May Allah grant his family and well wishers the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss. Amin,” the statement signed by Aminu Tambuwal, Governor of Sokoto State, reads.
