President Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday expressed fond thoughts of the late former Federal Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Ahmed Joda, describing him as an ally, who was always ready to help in all circumstances.

According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, President Buhari said despite all the support Joda provided to him at various stages of his (Buhari) public life, the late elder statesman never demanded for any favour from him.

The President spoke at the palace of Lamido Adamawa, Alhaji Muhammadu Barkindo Musdafa, during a condolence visit to the families of three elder statesmen and prominent sons of Adamawa State, who passed recently.

The families are those of Ahmed Joda, a former Permanent Secretary and Chairman of the transition committee that ushered in President Buhari’s administration in 2015; Dr Mahmoud Tukur, former Minister of Commerce and Industry during his military administration and Abdullahi Danburam Jada, Minister of Animal Health and Northern Cameroons Affairs in the defunct Northern Region Government.

President Buhari, who was accompanied by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, recounted his personal relationships with the deceased, noting that at various points, they played very supportive roles in his public service.

Read Also; Tributes as ex- federal Super Permanent Secretary Ahmed Joda dies at 91

On the late Joda, he said: ‘‘Since I became Governor of North East, under General Olusegun Obasanjo and later Minister, Ahmed Joda was part of those who assisted me, until his transition.

‘‘He was very supportive each time I called on him as governor, minister and President and he never demanded any favours from me, either in cash or any form of gratification.’’

On the late Dr Mahmoud, the President said: ‘‘He was a bosom friend to my brother and they studied together in Europe. He also contributed much during my military administration and did well in his assignment.’’

President Buhari noted that from the antecedents of his close working relationship with the people of Adamawa and how they have distinguished themselves, he appointed one of their sons the Minister of FCT, a very important position.

‘‘I gave an Adamawa indigene, Mohammed Bello, a huge and complicated assignment as FCT Minister. Although he is young, he is performing very well with the fear of God,’’ the President said.

Commiserating with the government, people and the Lamido of Adamawa on the demise of their illustrious sons, President Buhari prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed and divine comfort for their families.

In his remarks, Governor Fintiri thanked the President for the condolence visit, saying ‘‘given your closeness to the deceased we should have been the one travelling to Abuja to commiserate with you.’’

The governor commended the President for taking out time off his busy schedule to visit Adamawa, on the same day his son, Yusuf, is getting married to Zahra Bayero, the daughter of Nasiru Ado Bayero, the Emir of Bichi in Kano.

The Royal Father, Lamido Adamawa, also conveyed the emirate’s appreciation to President Buhari and his entourage, pronouncing blessings for safe travels and success in the President’s engagement in Kano for his son’s wedding.

President Muhammadu Buhari, on a condolence visit to Adamawa State yesterday,  commiserated with the people over recent death of prominent indigenes, saying Adamawa people are dependable.

Alhaji Ahmed Joda, a super federal Permanent Secretary in the 1970s, died in Yola last Friday while Dr Mahmud Tukur,  a former Minister of Commerce, died earlier on April 9, 2021.

Both men worked for or with Buhari,  Ahmed Joda being Buhari’s presidential transition committee chairman in 2015 and Mahmud Tukur being Buhari’s minister of Commerce and Industry in Buhari’s earlier coming as military head of state.

President Buhari who arrived Yola International Airport in Jimeta about 10:40 am on Friday and  was received by Governor Ahmadu Finitiri, proceeded to the Lamido of Adamawa Palace in Yola town where he met with the Lamido Adamama, Alhaji Barikindo Aliyu Musdafa and family members of the deceased.

He commiserated with the governor, Lamido Adamama, his in-laws (courtesy of his wife Aisha being from the state) and the people of the state over the loss of prominent indigenes in the last few weeks and months.

He said the contributions of the deceased to the development of the state and country are praiseworthy and that indigenes of Adamawa State are reliable and trustworthy.

He said: “Since my days as a military ruler to even now that I am a civilian President, I’ve found Adamawa people very reliable.

“That is why when I became the President in 2015, I made one of them the Minister in charge of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, a very difficult task but I’m not disappointed. He is doing a good job.

“The late Ahmed Joda was equally a good and hard working person. He headed my transition committee in 2015.

“The only thing I can say to Adamawa people is thank you. I appreciate all you have done for me. May the souls of the departed rest in peace, may God rest their souls.”