News

SAD! Ex-DG NIA, Amb Zakari, dies at 81

Published

2 years ago

November 18, 2024

/home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 27
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Screenshot_20241118-084309.png&description=SAD! Ex-DG NIA, Amb Zakari, dies at 81', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">

/home/naijuinz/public_html/wp-content/plugins/mvp-social-buttons/mvp-social-buttons.php on line 72
https://naijablitznews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Screenshot_20241118-084309.png&description=SAD! Ex-DG NIA, Amb Zakari, dies at 81', 'pinterestShare', 'width=750,height=350'); return false;" title="Pin This Post">

ADVERTISEMENT

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Ex-Director General of the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Zakari Ibrahim, has died at the age of 81.

A statement issued by the family of the deceased said he died in Abuja after a brief illness.

The late Talban Katsina was buried at Dantakun Cemetery, Katsina, after a funeral prayer held at the Katsina Emir’s palace at 4:45 pm.

Governor Dikko Radda, his chief of staff, Jabiru Tsauri and other government officials attended the funeral prayer.

Also in attendance was the emir of Katsina, Dr Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, his district heads and other title holders, amongst whom was the immediate past DG NIA, Sardaunan Katsina, Ambassador Abubakar Ahmed.

Radda, has expressed profound grief over the passing of the late diplomat, describing him as an illustrious son of Katsina who served Nigeria with distinction in various capacities, including as Director General of NIA, Deputy National Security Adviser, and Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

“The passing of Ambassador Zakari Ibrahim represents an irreparable loss not only to Katsina State but to Nigeria as a whole,” Governor Radda stated in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed.

“His remarkable contributions to national security and diplomacy have left an indelible mark on our nation’s history.”

The Governor highlighted the deceased’s dedication to public service and his role in elevating Katsina State’s standing in national affairs.

“As Talban Katsina, Ambassador Ibrahim exemplified the noble values of our traditional institution and served as a bridge between tradition and modern governance.”

Governor Radda extends heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, the Katsina Emirate Council, and the entire people of Katsina State.

He prayed for Allah (SWT) to grant the departed soul Al-jannatul Fridaus and give the family the fortitude to bear this monumental loss.

‘He was a gem of inestimable value’ – Dujiman Katsina

The Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Interior, Hon. Abdullahi Aliyu Ahmed, Dujiman Katsina, expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Talban Katsina.

Ahmed, who represents Musawa/Matazu Federal Constituency, said the late Talban Katsina has contributed tremendously to the development of the nation’s security architecture during his lifetime as the Director-General NIA and National Counter-terrorism Coordinator.

According to a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Sardauna Francis, the lawmaker received the news of the passing of Ambassador Zakari Ibrahim, Talban Katsina, with profound sadness and grief, saying he was a gem of inestimable value who contributed to peace-building in Nigeria.

He described the late ambassador as a gem of inestimable value and formidable pillar whose contributions to peace and tranquility of the country remains.

Dujiman Katsina extend his heartfelt condolences to the Katsina Emirate Council, particularly the Emir, Dr. Abdulmumini Kabir Usman over the colossal loss.

According to the fifth Wazirin Katsina Prof. Abubakar Sani Lugga, in his books, the great province and Dikko Dynasty, as extracted by Alhaji Musa Gambo Kofar soro, late Ambassador Zakari was born in Katsina on 15th March, 1943 into the family of the famous warrior Iyan Katsina ZAKARI ( his grand father)

His father was a famous Middle School Head Master and later Iyan Katsina and Talban Katsina Alhaji Ibrahim Mashi.

He had his secondary Education at Provincial Secondary School Katsina (1957-62) and got his Bachelor’s degree at Bayero University Kano (1969-72). He obtained a Diploma in Education Administration from the University of Birmingham (1973-74) and a Masters degree from the University of Sheffield (1974-1975).

Following the foot steps of his late father, he rose to become a principal in several Secondary Schools in former Kaduna State, before joining the Civil Service in 1980.

He was a one-time Nigerian Ambassador to Niger Republic from 1987 to 1990. He was appointed the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and National Coordinator of the Annual Holy Pilgrimage to Mecca in 1990.

He was the Deputy National Security Advisor and later Head of the National Intelligence Agency up to 1999 when he retired from the Civil Service. He succeeded his late father Alhaji Ibrahim, as The Talban Katsina.

He was a recipient of several national and International honours and awards including a Doctorate Degree from the Usmanu Danfodio University Sokoto, and a Medal of the Commander of the order of the Niger (CON). He was a silent philanthropist who assisted persons and communities,. He was a founding member and Grand Patron of the Katsina Islamic Foundation, promoters of the Katsina Islamic University Project.

News

Congress moves to halt US assistance to Nigeria over FG’s failure to protect citizens

Published

47 minutes ago

July 16, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

ADVERTISEMENT

The United States House of Representatives has endorsed an amendment that would increase the withholding of certain US assistance to Nigeria from 50 percent to 100 percent until the country takes effective steps to address violence and improve the protection of its citizens.

The amendment, proposed by Representative Gregory Steube of Florida’s 17th Congressional District, was adopted by a voice vote on Wednesday.

The House had earlier proposed withholding 50 percent of funds appropriated for Nigeria until the US Secretary of State certifies that the Nigerian government has taken “effective steps to prevent and respond to violence and hold perpetrators accountable”.

Under the new amendment, the withholding would increase to 100 percent, while retaining the same conditions for the release of the funds.

Speaking in support of his motion, Steube said withholding only 50 percent of the funds appeared to reward the Nigerian government “despite failure to meet its fundamental obligation to protect citizens”.

“I rise in strong support for my amendment to increase the withholding threshold for assistance to Nigeria, from 50 percent to 100 percent. While keeping in place benchmarks that demand Nigeria take effective steps to address the violence and persecution that continue to devastate the country.

“Nigeria has faced a horrific wave of violence that its corrupt government has failed to address.

“For years, and especially in recent months, Christians and other religious minorities in Nigeria have been subjected to violence and terrorism at the hands of extremists operating with impunity.

“Christian women and girls continue to be abducted, assaulted, tortured, and killed. Their churches are burned, and entire communities are erased.

“If the aid conditions included in the bill are important enough to withhold half of all the funding to the Nigerian government, then they are important enough to withhold all of the funding.

“The generosity of our taxpayers is a reflection of the American values we hold so firmly.

“Never should we allow their hard earned tax dollars to be funnelled to corrupt regimes that fail to uphold religious freedom, fail to adequately confront terrorism, and fail to protect the innocent from persecution.

“So, why are we rewarding a government that fails to meet such a basic obligation?”

Steube said it is absurd to expend foreign aid to Nigeria in the face of rising insecurity, especially as America’s national debt approaches $40 trillion,” Gregory Steube stated.

News

If Umahi’s daughter was found naked and dead in a poor man’s house Nigeria would’ve been on fire-Dalung

Published

3 hours ago

July 16, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

ADVERTISEMENT

Ex- Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung, has criticised what he described as double standards in the investigation into the death of physiotherapist Mary Habila, saying the public response would have been entirely different if the victim had been the daughter of a government official

Dalung made the remark while reacting to the controversy surrounding Habila’s death at the country residence of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Speaking in a video shared on social media, the former minister questioned the pace and manner of the investigation, arguing that ordinary Nigerians are often subjected to harsher scrutiny than powerful public office holders.

“If Umahi’s daughter had been found naked in a poor man’s house, Nigeria would be burning,” Dalung said, suggesting that the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death would have attracted a different level of public outrage and official response if the roles had been reversed.

Mary Habila, a 26-year-old physiotherapist from Kaduna State, was found dead at Umahi’s residence on June 27, 2026. She was reportedly attached to the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences and had been seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works.

Umahi has since confirmed the incident, describing Habila as a dedicated member of staff who had worked with him for about three years. He said emergency medical personnel were contacted immediately after she was found unresponsive and disclosed that he advised the family to consent to an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

The minister has repeatedly denied allegations of any cover-up, insisting that he has nothing to hide and supports a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the physiotherapist’s death.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force transferred the case to the Ebonyi State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation, as public interest in the incident continues to grow.

Dalung’s remarks add to the increasing calls for transparency and accountability in the investigation, with many Nigerians demanding that the case be thoroughly investigated and that its outcome be made public regardless of the status of those involved.