President Muhammadu Buhari has described the death of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Malam Gidado Idris as a big loss to the nation.

The former SGF diedon Fridaynight in Abuja at the age of 82 after a brief illness.

Idris, who hailed from Zaria in Kaduna State, was appointed SGF in 1993 and he retired in 1999 after a civil service career that started before Nigeria’s independence.

The President, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina in Abuja on Saturday, expressed sadness at the passing on of the octogenarian.

He said “being a highly experienced and quintessential technocrat who traversed the different stages of the political evolution of the country, Gidado’s wise counsel will surely be missed.”

The President added that the deceased, in addition to rising to the pinnacle of his public career as SGF, served several civilian and military administrations meritoriously as federal permanent secretary.

He said Gidado left inspiring imprints.

He, therefore, enjoined current and upcoming civil and public servants to emulate the cherished values of hard work, discipline, professionalism and integrity which the late distinguished nationalist embodied.

He commiserated with the family and associates of the deceased and prayed that God would comfort them.

Meanwhile, the deceased had been buried on Saturday at Gudu Cemetery in FCT

amid tears and prayers from families and the Muslim community.

The burial, which was concluded at around3p.m., was attended by the SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha and Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, among dignatories.

Other dignitaries included the former Deputy President of Senate Ibrahim Mantu; former Federal Capital Territory Minister, Alhaji Aliyu Modibbo, former SGF, Babagana Kingibe, Executive Secretary of Abuja National Mosque, Alhaji Ibrahim Jega.

Also at the burial were Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (rtd), former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to late military Head of State, General Sani Abacha and former Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State. (NAN)