Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Gidado Idris (GCON), has died at the age of 82.
Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, broke the news of the death, which occurred on Friday, in a Facebook post on Saturday morning.
“From God we all came and to Him we shall all return. Just learnt that former SGF Mallam Gidado Idris died on Friday. May Allah Grant his soul Aljannah Firdaus. Amin,” el-Rufai wrote.
Born on March 15, 1935 in Zaria, Kaduna State, Idris was trusted aide to the late Premier of Northern Nigeria and Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello.
Idris was the one who identified the corpse of the late premier and that of his wife, Hajia Yanguwan, who were both killed in Nigeria’s first military coup on January 15, 1966.
He was an in-law to former President Shehu Shagari, a trusted friend to President Muhammadu Buhari, General Ibrahim Babangida, General Sani Abacha, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo gave him the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) in 1978 while he (Obasanjo) was military head of state.
When General Abacha took over on November 17, 1993, Idris became the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Finance and a few months later, he was appointed SGF, a post he held till he retired in 1999.
He is expected to be buried on Saturday (today) according to Islamic rites.