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Tag: Babangida

  • Buhari, Babangida, Abdulsalami, extol Saraki’s virtues

    Buhari, Babangida, Abdulsalami, extol Saraki’s virtues

    Former Nigerian leaders, Ibrahim Babangida, Muhammadu Buhari and Abdulsalami Abubakar were in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Monday to commiserate with the family of the late Dr. Olusola Saraki.

    Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nuhu Ribadu, Scribe of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Senator Lawal Shuiabu and a one- time chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party, Yusuf Ali had earlier condoled with the bereaved family.

    Buhari, who had earlier visited the Ilofa road home of the late politician, said his death was not only a loss to Kwara State but to the country as a whole.

    “I don’t have the accurate vocabulary to quantify this loss. All I can say is for God to grant him eternal rest,” Buhari added.

    Former speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari accompanied Buhari.

    Babangida, who spoke in Hausa language said: “Saraki’s death is not a loss to the people of Ilorin alone but to Nigerians at large.”

    He has touched so many lives. In fact, I’m a beneficiary of the late Saraki’s humour, he tried so much.”

    General Babangida in company of Abubakar and the former secretary to the federal government, Alhaji Baba Gana Kingibe, urged Nigerian leaders to be associated with good deeds.

    “Saraki came to this life and we saw what he did. People talked about his deeds and it is my belief that with these testimonies, God will grant him eternal rest,” the former military president said.

     

  • I learnt political notes from Saraki – Babangida

    I learnt political notes from Saraki – Babangida

    A former Military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, on Thursday described the late Dr. Olusola Saraki as a refined politician from whom he learnt a “few political notes.”

    Also, a former Governor of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu said the late Saraki was a bridge between the North and the South.

    Babangida, who spoke on Saraki in a statement released through his Media Adviser, Prince Kassim Afegbua, said the former Senate Leader understood the dynamics of politics.

    The statement said: “Nigeria has once again lost a rare political gem, such a refined man who understood the tempers and mercies of politics and who gave more than a passing interest in nurturing it.

    “He was a man that cultivated his politics in a very peculiar manner and espoused the practice of generosity and good neighbourliness to sustain his array of political followers. Easily called “Oloye” by his numerous followers back in his native Ilorin, Senator Olusola Saraki was a politician that created his own panache throughout his entire political sojourn.

    ”He was very close to me and I had the rare privilege of learning a few political notes from his rich reservoir of political knowledge.

    “Senator Saraki has the mileage that most politicians do not have. He was kind, generous, God-fearing and enjoyed a popularity that was peculiar to him alone. He understood the dynamics of Nigeria politics and was able to sustain his political relevance through and through.

    “Even though death is the final sting of man, it is hurting to lose such a political colossus at this time. His death struck me with awe. It is nostalgic especially when I reflected on those good old days when we shared certain political philosophy together; the philosophy of one Nigeria, the philosophy of growth and development and the symbolic practice of being kind to fellow human being.

    “Senator Olusola Saraki’s philanthropy was infectious and down-to-earth. His love for the ordinary folks out there earned him a place in their million hearts. He was the masses man who craved for the elimination of poverty. He shared his riches and politics with many, and his ability to fit into all political groupings was what made his life very unique.

    “On behalf of my family, I join millions of his admirers, friends and associates in condoling his family over this painful loss. May Allah in His infinite mercy grant him eternal rest in the hereafter. May He grant the family the strength and courage to bear with this hurting loss. Adieu, Oloye until we meet to part no more.”