Contrary to the expectations of Nigerians that  Zaria, a city in Kaduna State, will be full to capacity with Very Important Personalities (VIPs) for the burial of the late Minister of Transport and Aviation, Dr. Umaru Dikko, some of the expected personalities were absent at the burial that took place at the Emir’s palace in Zaria.
Personalities like the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, Kaduna State Governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Dr. Adamu Muazu among others were not present at the burial.
But the Minister of Special Duties, Mr. Tanimu Yakubu Turaki, was in Zaria with some government delegates while the Secretary to Kaduna State Government, Alhaji Hamza Danmahawayi, represented the state governor at the burial.
The late Dikko, until his death, was the chairman of the Disciplinary Committee of the PDP. The late elder statesman, whose corpse arrived his Kaduna residence from London was thereafter taken to Zaria and was buried amidst tears from crowd of well wishers in accordance with Islamic injunctions shortly after the funeral prayer, which was led by Sheikh Sani Aliyu.
Speaking with newsmen after the burial rites, Dr. Mukhtar Maccido, Provost, Federal College of Education, Zaria, described the death of the late Dikko as a monumental loss to the country.
He said Dikko died when his contribution was most needed in one way or the other, noting that his death had created a wide vacuum that would take a long time to be filled in his community, state and the country.
Also, leader of the government delegation, Turaki, said the deceased had contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of Nigeria, adding that, the late Dikko was a humble and dedicated man.
Dikko died at the age of 78 during a brief illness at his London residence. He is survived by two wives and 11 children.

Dignitaries absent at Umaru Dikko’s burial