Nigeria’s distinguished diplomat and former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Zakari Ibrahim, has passed away at the age of 81.
He died in the early hours of Sunday, though the exact cause of death has not been disclosed at the time of this report.
A native of Katsina State, Ambassador Ibrahim was also known by his traditional title, Talban Katsina, within the Katsina Emirate. He was a schoolmate of former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari at Katsina Government College.
Ambassador Ibrahim served as the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency from 1993 to 1998 and held the position of Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in the early 1990s. In 2011, he was appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan to lead national efforts against terrorism.
His remains are expected to arrive in Katsina on Sunday afternoon for burial.
In reaction to his passing, Katsina State Governor Malam Dikko Umaru Radda expressed deep sorrow, describing Ambassador Ibrahim as a distinguished son of the state who made significant contributions to Nigeria’s public service in various roles.
The governor conveyed his condolences through a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kaula Mohamed.
Governor Radda stated: “The passing of Ambassador Zakari Ibrahim represents an irreparable loss not only to Katsina State but to Nigeria as a whole. His remarkable contributions to national security and diplomacy have left an indelible mark on our nation’s history.
“As Talban Katsina, Ambassador Ibrahim exemplified the noble values of our traditional institution and served as a bridge between tradition and modern governance.”
