More condolences pour in

The late president was also diligent and steadfast in his duties just like he performed during his tenure as the governor of Katsina state, Shagari said. Alhaji Shagari described Yar’adua’s death as a great loss not only to his family but the entire nation, saying, it was unfortunate that his health condition did not allow […]

The late president was also diligent and steadfast in his duties just like he performed during his tenure as the governor of Katsina state, Shagari said.

Alhaji Shagari described Yar’adua’s death as a great loss not only to his family but the entire nation, saying, it was unfortunate that his health condition did not allow him to execute his vision.

The second republic president of Nigeria, who observed that Yar’adua was very sincere and devoted towards transforming the country irrespective of any geopolitical or political inclinations, expressed optimism that President Goodluck Jonathan will continue from where he stopped and strive for the development of the nation.

He urged Nigerians to continue to live in peace with one another in order to move the nation forward and Almighty Allah to grant family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Yar’adua: More prominent Nigerians speak

Andrew Agbese & Sule Lazarus

Elder statesman, Alhaji Yahaya Kwande, said he felt very sad over the death of Yar’adua, saying the late president was like a brother to him having worked closely with him and his late elder brother for many years.

He said Yar’adua had in the period he ruled Nigeria, shown that he is desirous of changing Nigeria for the better as evident in the dredging of the River Niger which he began and the amnesty he extended to the militants in the Niger Delta.

He advised President Jonathan to keep intact, the leadership concept of the late president since he was his choice as vice president.

Former minister of state for information and communication, Alhaji Dasuki Nakande, on his part, said Nigeria has lost a gentleman president who was committed to enthroning the rule of law in the national psyche.

He said the late president had achieved so much within a short period that he cannot be forgotten and condoled the Yar’adua family, asking God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

Senator Gbemisola Saraki has declared that Yar’adua’s death of marks the end of an era of pro-people politics that started with his membership of the second republic Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) led by late Mallam Aminu Kano.

The senator, who stated this yesterday in her condolence message, said the training Yar’adua had under Aminu Kano, the apostle of Talakawa politics, shaped his view of politics as an instrument to uplift the people in a society that is pervaded by poverty.

“Even when at the outset of the fourth republic he found himself, by circumstances, in the PDP, he did not depart from the course that told the story of his love for the people and the resolve to transform their lives”, she said.

“He will be remembered for being a detribalised leader, a hero of the people, a man who abhorred corruption in all ramifications, a believer in due process and rule of law, a committed family man and devout Muslim. Nigeria will surely miss his good qualities.”

Yar’adua, only Nigerian

leader to accept election flaws – AC

Ayegba Israel Ebije, Minna

As the nation continue to mourn the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, the Action Congress has eulogised him as the only Nigerian leader to have accepted that there were irregularities in the election that brought him to power.   

The Niger state Director of Publicity, Mr Jonathan Vatsa, speaking with our correspondent yesterday in Minna, said he endeared himself to Nigerians by his zero tolerance for corruption.   

“President Yar’adua made history as the only Nigerian leader to openly accept that the election that brought him to power was full of irregularities and was ready to leave the seat of president if the court so ruled.     

ACF, CAN, other bodies mourn late president  

Ismail Mudashir & Maryam Ahmadu-Suka, Kaduna

The Arewa Consultative Forum(ACF), Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN)  the National Conscience Party (NCP),  and the National Union of Textile Garment Workers of Nigerian(NUTGWN),  have  extolled the good virtues of late president Umaru Musa Yar’adua who died on Wednesday after a protracted illness.   

ACF in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Anthony Sani, urged Nigerians to pick up the challenges he left behind.   

“There is no one left in any doubt about the good intentions of the late President. He wore his personal qualities of integrity, humility and goodwill right there on his sleeves. He was willing to bear great personal burden and make heavy sacrifices in order to achieve his vision of a stable, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria,’’ the statement reads.   

ACF said late Yar’adua’s presidency held d great potentials for the transformation of Nigeria but the success of his programmes and policies have never been assured as he was continually hampered by ill health.   

The northern states chapter of the Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN) said his death was a great loss to the nation, being the first graduate president that the country has produced.   

In a telephone interview with Rev Joseph Hayab, the spokesman for the CAN northern states said that Nigerians had a lot of expectations from Yar’adua. However, illness did not allow him to give his optimum, he added.   

According to Hayab, the late president was not given to irrational actions and speeches, adding that he was calm and easy going. Describing him as a rare Nigerian leader, Yar’adua was an “example of selfless service and incorruptibility. His style of leadership was slow but sincere. He personifies integrity and honesty in leadership.”

In their condolence message, the NUTGWN said late President Yar’adua showed appreciable unprecedented commitment and determination to re-industrialise and re-electrify Nigeria.  

The union in a statement signed by Comrade Issa Aremu said his administration raised the prospects of industrialization and wealth generation in the country more than ever before.   

Similarly, the NCP in their condolence message signed by Dr. Yunusa Tanko, National Secretary of the party said the late president must be given the credit for owning up that our election was faulty and needed reform. In the same vein, the National President of the Arewa Youth Forum (AYF), Ibrahim Gambo Gujungu, said that Nigerians will remain indebted to the late president for his patriotism and courage to tackle Nigeria’s many intractable problems.  

‘Yar’adua’s demise a monumental loss’

Mulkat Mukaila

Former Governor of Nasarawa State and Secretary, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Board of Trustees, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu, has described the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’adua as a rude shock and a monumental loss to the entire country.  

Adamu in a condolence message yesterday said he received the news of the death of President Yar’adua with a heavy heart and mixed feelings.

According to the former governor, the late Yar’adua has left an indelible footprint in the sand of time considering his achievements and invaluable contributions to the development of the country.  

The late Yar’adua, he said, demonstrated remarkable progress in his efforts to move Nigeria on the path of growth through his 7-Point development agenda.

He said the late president will be remembered for his electoral reform programme, rule of law, anti corruption crusade, the development of the Niger Delta, especially the amnesty programme among others.  

Yar’adua was incorruptible  –  Chief  Imam of Damaturu

Hamza Idris, Damaturu

Ustaz Hudu Muhammad, the Chief Imam of Yobe Central Mosque yesterday described late President Umaru Yar’adua as an incorruptible leader who devoted his life to the service of humanity without the temptation to dubiously enrich himself.

The Chief Imam who devoted a significant part of his Friday prayer sermon paying tributes to the late president, said the new president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan and all other politicians should emulate the exemplary leadership of late Yar’adua.

“Within the limited time he led this country, the late president had proved that not all that glitters is gold…he was not carried away by the affluence of his office and he was ever willing to see that Nigeria changed for the better”, the chief imam said.