The holiday was declared in a statement signed by the State Commissioner for Information, Mallam Mohammed Garba.

The statement read, "The death has occurred today (Monday) of Alhaji (Dr.) Yusuf Maitama Sule, Dan Masanin Kano.

"Dr. Yusuf Maitama Sule died at a hospital in Cairo, Egypt, where he was receiving treatment for an illness.

"Funeral prayer for the  deceased will be  conducted tomorrow (Tuesday) at the Emir’s Palace, Kofar Kudu, by 4:00pm.

"Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has declared tomorrow Tuesday a work – free day in the state to mourn the death of the elder statesman."

ALSO READ: Former Minister dies in Egypt

Maitama Sule, a former Minister for National Guidance of the Federal Republic of Nigeria died in a hospital Cairo, Egypt.

According to the Punch, his son, Alhaji Mukhtar Maitama Sule, confirmed that he died 24 hours after his arrival at the hospital.

His body will be flown to the country for burial tomorrow.