By Ahmed Ghani Hassan
Today January 1st 2021 the people of Zazzau Emirate and the entire Northern Nigeria woke up with the sudden death of an Icon , renowned Figure and the wealthiest Prince in the northern Nigeria Alhaji Bashar Aminu Iyan Zazzau who had enormous personality.
I was busy and hectic in my Company when I received a called from my Faher Baba Ghani who told me the untimely demise of an icon Late Alhaji Bashir Aminu Iyan Zazzau who was among the front contenders of kingships of Zazzau after the demise of Alhaji Shehu Idris, the 18th Emir Of Zazzau.
Iyan Zazzau came from Katsinawa Rulling House in Zazzau Who was the son Of The 17th Emir of Zazzau Alhaji Muhammadu Aminu.
Iyan Zazzau died in the early hours of Friday 1st January, 2021 in Lagos with brief illness, what a great loss to the entire Northern Nigeria. innalillahi Wa inna’ilaihi Raji’un’. Indeed, the death has created a vacuum that can hardly be filled.
Alhaji Bashar Aminu was born on 26th December 1950 at Rimin Tsiwa in the vicinity of Zaria, he attended Alhuda Huda School in 1964-1968. He proceeded to kaduna polytechnic where he obtained a diploma in accounting and auditing from 1970-1971 without any respite he also proceeded to Ahmadu Bello university Zaria (ABU) where He studied BSc Accounting from 1972 to 1975, He also Studied MSc In Kent Canterbury university in England in 1982.
Iyan Zazazau started his working career as an account officer in Kaduna state Government from 1970-1975, He also worked in state polytechnic in 1976- 1979. Alhaji Bashar Aminu was turbanned as Iyan Zazzau, District head of Sabon Gari on 23rd of February, 1979.
Iyan Zazzau held several positions in the state and the federal Government. Iyan Zazzau was appointed as the chairman board of aviation technology Zaria from 1990-1974. He also held the chairman Board of National primary health care Development agency.
He was a very influenctial figure in Northern Nigeria where he immensely contributed towards the Development of the North and the Country at large. Iya was a very trust worthy of late Emir of Zazzau Alhaji Shehu Idris who reigned as Emir of Zazzau for over 45 years on the throne. A famous Northern Nigerian singer Dr Mamman Shata in his song Sarkin Zazzau Shehu described the intimacy, strong relationship, strong friendship as family which doesn’t even differentiate their feelings between Late Emir Aminu and Shehu idris, Ameer Shehu was among the subject helpers to Late Emir Aminu.
Today Friday 1st January, 2021 around 9:ooam sharp on my clock because I was at my Block industry when I received a called from Baba Ghani where he notified me about the demise of late Bashar Aminu ‘Innallilahi wa Inna’ilaihi Raji’un’. I could remember when I accompanied aunty ummu to Iya’s House I saw Iyan Zazzau and exchanged pleasantries. The people of Sabon Gari respected him with decorum , whenever he passed by with his vehicle, they used to great him with respect because of his good will towards them.
Iyan Zazaau was very religious, humble, generous and kind. He lived a simple life that you can’t diffrentiate his children with others who live in his House either relations or friends children or even visitors. He treated them equally.
May Allah Bestow his infinite mercy on late Alhaji Bashar Aminu iyan Zazaau and his father late Emir of Zazzau Muhammadu Aminu. And the entire Muslim Ummah and make Jannatul firdaus to be their final abode. This is a great lost not only to Zazzau but to the entire North and Nigeria at large because the late Iyan Zazzau believed in oneness of Nigeria and he never discriminate no matter which tribe you are… May Allah send his light to his grave.
Ahmed Ghani Hassan Writes from Bauchi State.
ahmedghanihassan@gmail.com.
