A former Nigerian ambassador to the United States, Germany, France and former Soviet Union (USSR), Hamzat Ahmadu, the Walin Sokoto, died yesterday at 92 years in a Lagos hospital.
A statement from the Special Adviser to the Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal on Media, Imam Imam, said funeral prayers for the deceased will be held today at the Sultan’s Palace in Sokoto.
Ambassador Ahmadu served as the Personal Secretary to two Nigerian military leaders – late Gen Aguiyi Ironsi and retired Gen Yakubu Gowon.
Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal described him as an accomplished diplomat who distinguished himself in his chosen specialties.
“As an elder statesman, his wise counsel served both the older and younger generation of leaders not only in Sokoto, but in Nigeria as a whole,” he said.
Ambassador Ahmadu joined the Nigerian Secretariat Kaduna, Provincial Office Kano and Northern Nigerian Legislature Kaduna before he proceeded to the United Kingdom for further studies. He rejoined the Colonial Administrative Service at the end of his studies in 1958 and served as Private Secretary to the premier of Northern Nigerian Foreign Service. He presented his credentials and was accepted as Ambassador Extraordinary & plenipotentiary to the United States of America on July 20, 1987

Ambassador Ahmadu had played a major role in formulating, managing and implementing Nigeria’s foreign policy. He served as Permanent Secretary and Head of the Diplomatic Service (1986-1987); Director-General of African Affairs (1984-1985); Director-General of Protocol (1981-1982); Director, Asia Division (1965-1966); and Director of Africa, Consular and Treaties Division (1964-1966).
After his retirement, Ambassador Ahmadu was appointed the first Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Anambra State, and was on the board of many companies. He was married with children.
Recalling the life and times of late the late diplomat, a former assistant information officer in the Nigerian High Commission in London, Mallam Isyaku Ibrahim, said he was a nice person who loved his people and country.
“Late Hamza Ahmadu schooled abroad with Ibrahim Damchida and after graduation they remained friends. While late Hamza Ahmadu was the Sardauna of Sokoto’s Private Secretary, Damchida worked with the Ministry of Trade and Investment. The deceased also worked with General Yakubu Gowon as Personal Assistant and he worked at the foreign service. I’m like a younger brother to him. He was a nice person, he loved his people and country,” he said. “He told me a story of how the late Sardauna sent him to his cousin, Muazu Lamido who was then a minister. Sardauna had not seen his cousin for sometime, so he sent Hamza Ahmadu to him. Surprisingly, Muazu Lamido told Hamza Ahmadu that he did not have money to fuel his car. So, Sardauna asked him to follow Hamza Ahmadu and when they met, he repeated same to his cousin. Sardauna then gave him money to fuel his car but before he left, J. S. Tarka came. But Sardauna had gone upstairs, so Muazu Lamido after hearing Tarka’s complaints gave the money to him…, “ he said

President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the Sultanate, the government and the people of Sokoto State on the death of the former diplomat.
The president in a condolence letter to the state government, described the Late Walin Sokoto as a reputable public servant and highly distinguished diplomat who, he said, spent most of his life in the service of his country.
The president described the demise of the former envoy as a great loss.
He president prayed that Almighty God grant his soul peaceful rest, and his family the strength to bear the loss..