‘Bundle of integrity’, Obasanjo mourns ex-Chief of Staff Abdullahi Mohammed

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has paid tribute to his former Chief of Staff, late Major General Abdullahi Mohammed, who died on Wednesday at the age of 86. Mohammed served as Chief of Staff to former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo (1999–2007) and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (2007–2008). Obasanjo in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde […]

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has paid tribute to his former Chief of Staff, late Major General Abdullahi Mohammed, who died on Wednesday at the age of 86.

Mohammed served as Chief of Staff to former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo (1999–2007) and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (2007–2008).

Obasanjo in a statement by his
Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, said the news “came to me unexpectedly and as a great shock.”

He described the deceased as a long-standing friend, brother and colleague.

Obasanjo further described him as a bundle of integrity and incorruptibility.

In his tribute, the former President said: “The late Maj-Gen. Abdul Mohammed was a diligent and conscientious soldier who served his nation with patriotic zeal and distinguished himself in many spheres of military and public life. He was a bundle of integrity and incorruptibility and one of the few I know that can be so described. As a Military Governor of old Benue-Plateau State from 1975 to February 1976 during the military regime of General Murtala Mohammed, he made tremendous mark through dedication to duty, loyalty to his fatherland and an impeccable example of incorruptible leadership. He had series of training including becoming one of the early military officers to be trained as military intelligence officers. It was the skill and the expertise that he brought into the establishment of National Security Organisation (NSO – now known as Department of State Services) after the coup that assassinated General Muritala Muhammed. He headed the Organisation as its pioneer Director-General from 1976 to 1979 and served as a totally competent and loyal officer. It is also worthy of note that at the request of General Abdulsalami Abubakar, as the Head of State between 1998 and 1999, I had to persuade Abdul to take up the position of National Security Adviser (NSA) in his regime. He will certainly be remembered for his rare courage and contribution to the development of the Nigerian Army in which he rose to enviable heights.

“At the point that I decided to have a Chief of Staff with military background as part of the gradual transition from military to democracy to still give the military the sense and feeling of access to the seat of government at the highest level and one who has to be someone I knew well and who knew me well; someone I could trust and have absolute confidence in; someone dedicated and committed, I could not find a better person than Maj-Gen. Abdulahi Mohammed. He ran his office from 1999 to 2007 very capably and was one of my trusted aides who made my running of the Presidency an easy undertaking. He continued serving in the same capacity, though briefly, in the administration of President Umaru Yar’Adua on my prompting for him to assist the administration, in governance, until it fully settled down as requested by my successor. It did not work out as my successor anticipated as Abdul could not put up with the unclean crowd of no virtue around the Presidency.

“Abdul was a true soldier and a great nationalist who served Nigeria with dedication and unalloyed commitment. He fought for the unity of this country with complete dedication to the ideal of a great Nigeria in which fairness and justice will reign. Indeed, it is no exaggeration to say that the history of our struggle for national unity, democracy and good governance cannot be written without ample reference being made to the patriotic, selfless, visionary and heroic role played by him.

“On behalf of my family and on my own behalf, I extend heartfelt condolences to the entire family of Maj-Gen. Abdul Mohammed on the sorrowful passing a great but humble Nigerian. May Allah (SWT) forgive him and grant him Jannatul Firdausi. Ameen.”