From: Femi Oyelola in Kaduna
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State was among thousands of Muslim worshippers who attended the funeral prayer of the late Hajiya Umma El Rufai at the Abuja Central Mosque on Sunday.
The late Hajiya Umma, who was the mother of former Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El Rufai, passed away in Cairo last Friday.
Malam Nasir El Rufai was released from detention by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to attend his mother’s funeral.
President Bola Tinubu and many Nigerians have been sending condolence messages to the El Rufai family since the death was announced.
The president noted that “losing a mother is a pain unlike any other,” adding that he personally understands the depth of such grief.
The president prayed that the memories of the deceased’s life and values would bring comfort to the family.
Governor Uba Sani described the late Umma El Rufai as not only a devoted mother and matriarch but also a woman of rare grace, moral clarity, and quiet strength.
According to him, the deceased lived a life defined by compassion, humility, and steadfast service, extending kindness to the vulnerable and dignity to all who crossed her path.
“In this hour of grief, I stand in solemn solidarity with the El Rufai family, praying that Almighty Allah will forgive her shortcomings, accept her righteous deeds, and grant her eternal repose in Aljannatul Firdausi,” he said.
The funeral prayer was attended by senior government officials and public figures, including the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Governor Umar Bago of Nigeria State; Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, the governor of Gombe State; and former Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
Also in attendance was former Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the Upper Chamber, who described the death of Umma El Rufai as not only a loss to the El-Rufai family but also to the good people of Kaduna State and the nation at large.
Also present at the funeral were the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamali; Etsu Nupe, Yahaya Abubakar; former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II; and industry leaders.
