HRH Dr. Shehu Idris: The Emir of Zazzau.

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HRH. Alhaji. Dr. Shehu Idris is the 18th Fulani Emir of Zazzau and the Chairman of Zazzau Emirate Council and Kaduna State Emirate Council. He ascended the throne on February 8, 1975, following the demise of Alhaji Muhammadu Aminu, the 17th Emir of Zazzau.

Idris was born to the family of Malam Idrisu Auta who was sometimes called Auta Sambo and Hajiya Aminatu. Idrisu Auta’s father was Sarkin Zazzau Muhammadu Sambo who reigned from c. 1879 to 1888 and Auta’s grandfather was Sarkin Zazzau Abdulkarimi who reigned from c. 1834 – 1846.

HRH. Alhaji. Dr. Shehu Idris is the 18th Fulani Emir of Zazzau
HRH. Alhaji. Dr. Shehu Idris is the 18th Fulani Emir of Zazzau

Idris started his education being tutored by two Islamic scholars in Zaria and then continued with formal studies at the Zaria Elementary School. He was at the elementary school from 1947 till 1950, during this period, the young Idris lost his father when he was 12 years old.

ALSO READ: Emir of Zazzau Dr. Shehu Idris Marks 45th Anniversary

Idris continued both his qur’anic and formal education and enrolled in the Zaria Middle School in 1950 and finished studies in 1955. He then attended Katsina Training College to become a teacher.

The monarch started his teaching career in 1958 at Hunkuyi, now the headquarters of Kudan local government area of Kaduna state. Later in 1960, the emir was appointed the private secretary to the then emir, Alhaji Muhammad Aminu.

After serving at different capacities in the Zazzau palace and the then Native Authority, in 1973 Alhaji Idris was turbaned as Dan Madamin Zazzau and the District head of Zaria-Kewaye before he succeeded late Sarki Muhammadu Aminu as the 18th Emir of Zazzau in 1975.

HRH Dr. Shehu Idris: The Emir of Zazzau. 2

On 10th January, 2015 he celebrated his 40 years anniversary, and Saturday, February 8, 2020, the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, marks his 45th anniversary as the head of the Zazzau emirate council and chairman, Kaduna State council of traditional rulers.

The Zazzau emirate

The Zazzau emirate, like many others in Northern Nigeria, has its roots from the Jihad (holy war) of Islamic reformer, Sheikh Usmanu Bn Fodio. After the conquest of most of the Hausa territories and beyond, Sheikh Fodio appointed his representatives in the concurred areas.

Malam Musa was appointed as Sheikh Bn Fodio’s representative in Zaria, as he was presented with the symbolic flag of authority by the Sheikh. Malam Musa hails from the Mallawa dynasty. He was therefore attached to Malam Yamusa from the Bare-Bare dynasty and Malam Abdukarimu from the Katsinawa dynasty.

This marked the emergence of the Mallawa, Bare-Bare, Katsinawa, and Sullubawa dynasties of the Zazzau emirate. Malam Musa, Malam Yamusa, Malam Abdulkarim, and Malam Abdulsalam, respectively, became the founders of the dynasties.

According to the traditional title holder of Wamban Zazzau, Alhaji Abdulkarim Aminu, who couples as one of the sons of late Emir Muhammad Aminu, Alhaji Idris is the 18th Emir of Zazzau.

He added: “He was preceded by Malam Musa (1804-1821). He spent 17 years as emir. There was Sarkin Zazzau Malam Yamusa (1821-1834) who spent 13 years as emir. Sarkin Zazzau Malam Abdulkarim (1834-1846) spent 14 years as the emir. He was followed by Sarkin Zazzau Malam Hammada who only served for 53 days. The next was Sarkin Zazzau Malam Mahamman Sani (1846-1853), who spent seven years on the throne. He was followed by Sarkin Zazzau Malam Sidi who only served as emir for just a month.”

Sarkin Zazzau Malam Abdulsalam who served for ten years (1853-1863). The throne was then occupied by Sarkin Zazzau Malam Abdullahi who served for ten years, (1863-1873). Sarkin Zazzau Malam Abubakar served for three years (1873-1876). Sarkin Zazzau Malam Sambo served for nine years (1881-1890).

Sarkin Zazzau Malam Yero served for seven years (1890-1897). He was succeeded by Sarkin Zazzau Malam Kwasau who reigned for six years, 1897-1903. The next was Sarkin Zazzau Malam Alu Dan Sidi who reigned for 17 years, 1903-1920. He was followed by Sarkin Zazzau Malam Dalhatu who served for four years. (1920-1924). The next was Sarkin Zazzau Malam Ibrahim who served as emir for 12 years (1924-1936).

Alhaji Aminu said the next emir was Sarkin Zazzau Malam Jafaru from 1937-1959, which means he served for 22 years. After Malam Jafaru, Sarkin Zazzau Malam Muhammad Aminu was appointed in 1959 and reined up to 1975. He was emir for 16 years.

Sarkin Zazzau Malam Muhammad Aminu was succeeded by the incumbent Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris. His coronation was performed on the 8th of February, 1975. He belongs to the Katsinawa dynasty of the Zazzau emirate.

Death of Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris.

HRH. Alhaji. Dr. Shehu Idris, the Emir of Zazzau and the Chairman of Zazzau Emirate Council and Kaduna State Emirate Council died on Sunday, 20th September 2020. According to DAILY NIGERIAN citing Multiple palace sources, the revered monarch died at 44 Reference Hospital around 11am at the age of 84.

Confirming the news, the Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir ElRufai said, “we can confirm the passing of the father of our state, His Highness Emir of Zazzau, Alh (Dr.) Shehu Idris CFR. He died at the 44 Military Hospital Kaduna today after a brief illness. Janazah prayer in Zaria is scheduled for 5pm in Sha Allah. All Covid-19 protocols to be complied with as much as possible during the funeral prayers and condolences.


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