The late Shettima of Ilorin, Alhaji Abubakar Lah, until his death on Sunday always wished that Nigeria will return to the way it used to be during the colonial days when things were "organised", his eldest son, Alhaji Ladi Lah, said yesterday.

"He was not happy that things have deteriorated in all organs of government and he always felt that youths of today are in a hurry to get rich," Lah said in a chat with Daily Trust in Ilorin. 

Shettima died on Sunday and was buried according to Islamic rite shortly after the Janazal prayer led by the Chief Imam of Ilorin, Alhaji Mohammed Bashir Imam Solihu, supported by other prominent imams and clerics. 

The late Shettima, who was aged 101, is survived by three wives and 14 children. He was a renowned teacher and administrator who thought many prominent personalities in the old Northern region.

Among the eminent personalities were; the late Lamido of Adamawa, Aliyu Mustapha, late Akanbi Oniyangi, late General Tunde Idiagbon as well as the present Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Zulu Gambari, among others.

Lah who was a close associate of the late premier of the defunct Northern region and Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, was also a board member of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF).

The family house of the departed elder statesman at Gambari in Ilorin has been playing host to prominent personalities since his death was announced.

His eldest son, a retired director with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) said late Lah who was turbaned Shettima in 1978 during the reign of the ninth emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Zulukarnaini Gambari, believed in the unity of the north and the country in general.

"While he was in active service, the north was one. They posted people including him from provinces to provinces to work, there was oneness," he said.
The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Zulu Gambari, through his spokesman, Alhaji Salihu Woru Mohammed, described the death of the late Shettima as a colossal loss, saying the entire Ilorin emirate would miss him.

Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Barrister Razaq Atunwa, in a statement by his media aide, Alhaji Abdulrahman Sanni, described the deceased as a great teacher and administrator who contributed significantly to social economic development of Ilorin emirate, Kwara State and Northern Nigeria.