•Buhari, Osinbajo, governors, Tinubu, others mourn
•Jonathan, Tinubu, governors, others speak
The journey ended yesterday for Maitama Sule, Nigeria’s former Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN). The Kano State-born politician died at 87 in a hospital in Cairo, Egypt. Nigerians from all walks of life remember a politician who contributed his quota to nation building, our correspondents report.
TRIBUTES poured in torrents yesterday for former Nigeria’s Permanent Representatives to the United Nations (UN), Yusuf Maitama Sule, who passed on in an Egyptian hospital. He was 87.
Those who paid tributes lamented Maitama Sule’s death. They, however, agreed that the former minister contributed his quota to the development of the country.
According to them, the vacuum created by the diplomat’s death would be difficult to fill.
APC: His death a monumental loss
The All Progressives Congress (APC) described the death of former envoy as a monumental loss to the nation.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described the late Sule as a distinguished politician, progressive voice, public servant and patriot, who made the country proud in all public assignments he undertook locally and internationally.
Expressing grief over the passage of respected elder statesman, the party commiserated with his immediate family, the Emir of Kano, the people and government of Kano State, the Federal Government and indeed the international community over the sad loss.
The statement reads: “The party recalls fondly the late Sule exemplary service as two-time minister and pioneer head of newly established ombudsman body, Public Complaints Commission (PCC).
“As former Nigerian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, the late Maitama Sule chaired the important United Nations Standing Committee Against Apartheid then ravaging South Africa.
“The late Sule, also known by his traditional title, Danmasanin Kano was a patriot who espoused the God given strengths and positive attributes of all the constituent ethnicities that make up our great country Nigeria.
“The late Sule who contested the presidential ticket of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in 1979 was widely acclaimed for his oratory. His panache endeared him to many, even across political lines.
“Indeed, Nigeria has lost an eminent son whose life’s work and memories will be forever celebrated and remembered. The party prays the Almighty God give the late diplomat eternal rest and the family, the strength to bear the great loss.”
He should be emulated, says ngige
LABOUR and Employment Minister Chris Ngige described the late first Republic Minister as a colossus, recommending his life and times as a must-read book by all those interested in building a great nation.
Ngige’s media aide Nwachukwu Obidiwe said in a statement that Sule’s death was a monumental loss to the nation
The statement reads: “Maitama Sule was a colossus whose life and time is a book, a must-read for all Nigerians interested in building a great nation.
“He zealously loved Nigeria and left worthy examples for the present and future generations to build on. As Minister of Mines and Power in the First Republic, Sule developed the blueprint that would make Nigeria a truly independent and self-reliant nation, taking bumper advantage of the abundant natural endowments in that critical sector.
“And as Nigeria’s Permanent Representatives to the United Nations, heading the world body’s committee on Apartheid in the second Republic, his formidable representation strengthened the huge shoulders of Nigeria as the fulcrum in the rallying cry against Apartheid.
“The future generations of Nigeria will read in history, the oratory in Sule that reverberated across national climes and cleavages. The present and future generations will sorely miss this repository of knowledge, whose finger tips snap with the ancient and modern political history of Nigeria, even at old age.
“I recall with nostalgia my experience with him on March 23 this year. I was in Kano as the Special Guest of Honour at the graduation and empowerment ceremony of over a thousand state-sponsored graduates of auto- mechanic skills from the Kaduna Peugeot Assembly Plant, on the invitation of Governor Umar Ganduje.
“In the night, I knocked and had a rare sixty minutes of heart to heart with this fallen legend. His memory was a flash, and his touch on issues, mercurial. The subject was all round and for the good of our dear nation. Nigeria has indeed lost a colossus.
“May God grant his immediate family, the government and people of Kano and the entire nation the fortitude to bear this great loss and May his soul Rest in Peace.”
Okorocha: finest nationalist gone
IMO State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors’ Forum Chairman Rochas Okorocha, yesterday joined others to mourn the passage of the former federal minister.
Okorocha described the politician and former leader of the Northern Elders Forum as one of Africa’s finest and vocal nationalist, who lived his life preaching peace and the unity of the nation.
He lamented that Sule’s death came at a time the nation needed detribalised leaders like him.
In a statement by Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, the governor said that he received the sad news of the demise of the frontline politician with “rude shock and disbelief”.
Onwuemeodo quoted Okorocha as saying: “With the demise of Alhaji Sule, the nation and indeed Africa, have lost one of the finest and vocal nationalists who had lived his life preaching peace and unity of purpose for the nation.
“As a federal minister and Nigerian Ambassador to the United Nation respectively and even as the then leader of the Northern Elders Forum, the Dan Masanin Kano displayed exemplary leadership and commitment to service for the good of all.”
The governor regretted that Sule died at a time the nation needs detribalised leaders like him, adding that “the nation won’t forget the enviable contributions of Alhaji Sule to the development and growth of the nation in a hurry”.
NGF mourns ‘astute politician ‘
Zamfara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar described the demise of the Dan Masanin Kano in a hospital in Egypt as a great loss to Nigerians, especially the people of Kano state and its emirate council.
Yari, who described the deceased as an astute politician, administrator and orator, said Sule impacted the nation positively in various spheres of human endeavor.
The NGF chair said the nation will hardly recover from the loss of such a wise fellow, with unquenchable passion for national development.
In a statement by Abulrazque B. Barkindo, Head, Media & Public Affairs at the NGF Secretariat, Yari described the late Sule as an orator and a complete gentleman and good citizen, who dedicated his life to the unity, progress and development of Nigeria.
He said that the NGF and indeed all the governors of the country had always relied on the Dan Masanin Kano, as a close confidant, citing the naming of very prominent streets in some parts of the country by many of them as evidence of their affection for the late sage.
He said: “Our country has lost a rare gem. Dan Masanin was a leading light of the old generation and with his demise the last of that generation has now been finally extinguished. He was a complete gentleman whose honesty, commitment and dedication to the unity of Nigeria will forever be cherished.
“Dan Masani’s name will continue to be identified with everything positive about Nigeria and its people. Whenever the future generation reads about Dan Masani, they will encounter a man who was cherished and respected by the high and mighty from all parts of the country.”
Shekarau describes demise
a great blow
FORMER Kano State Governor Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, described the death of the Dan Masanin Kano as a great loss.
The Sardaunan Kano also described him as an icon who contributed immensely to the socio-economic and political development of the country.
Dr. Shekarau’s condolences were contained in a statement by his media aide Sule Ya’u Sule.
He said: “The death of Dan Masanin Kano was a great loss to the nation and people at the positions of authority, especially in Kano do enjoy the wisdom and guidance of late Sule.
“While in service of Kano as governor, I truly tapped from Dan Masanin’s experience, his guidance had greatly assisted me to pilot the affairs of the state.
“The state and the nation will dearly miss his oratory, diction and humour in speech making. Dan Masanin ‘s versatile and eloquent presentation of addresses at any for a. That always made teeming masses to always listening to him.”
He was untiring, remarkable,
says Daniel
Former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel described the politician as a remarkable politician, an untiring leader and one of the last titans of modern-day Nigeria.
In his condolence message, Daniel expressed grief on the death of the elder statesman whose demise, he stated, was a great loss to his family, the good people of Kano State and the entire nation considering his immense contributions to the political history of Nigeria.
Daniel said: “He was a notable diplomat, political strategist, proficient administrator and an outstanding statesman whose life was that of continuous service and commitment to the well-being of the people.
“His demise was a great loss to the nation especially the Northern Region which he represented and defended with an undying passion till the end”.
Describing death as an inevitable end, the former governor noted that the late Sule lived a highly courageous and dedicated life in the service of the people and his death ended a glorious chapter in Nigeria’s democratic process.
Jonathan: he was a bridge builder
Former President Goodluck Jonathan extended his condolences to members of the late Sule as well as the government and people of Kano State.
Speaking through a statement by spokesperson Ikechukwu Eze, Dr. Jonathan described the late Sule as a bridge builder and advocate of peaceful co-existence who worked relentlessly for Nigeria’s development.
He described the deceased as a committed patriot and celebrated African statesman whose efforts helped bring an end to apartheid.
He said: “I am deeply saddened by the passage of Dan Masanin Kano, Alhaji Sule, who died today (yesterday) at the age of 88.
“He was an accomplished leader, diplomat and elder statesman who served Nigeria and Africa in different capacities to the best of his abilities. I remember him as a great leader who worked relentlessly for Nigeria’s development.
“He functioned as a reliable navigator in difficult times both at home and abroad, especially with the commitment he showed towards dismantling the last vestiges of apartheid.
“The canon he preached and lived as a committed patriot was genuine love for our nation which manifested in his sincerity, hardwork and deep embrace of the people and politicians from all parts of the country.
“He will always be remembered as a bridge builder and advocate of peaceful co-existence. One of his numerous axioms which I continue to recall was the astute admonition he made while giving a convocation lecture in the University of Port Harcourt in 2006, where he counselled that ‘young breed without the old breed will breed greed’.
“He lived a long and rewarding life and will be greatly missed. May the Almighty grant him al Jannah Firdaus.”
ACF, El-Rufai mourn a titan
KADUNA State Governor Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai and the pan-Northern socio-cultural group, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) joined others to mourn the late First Republic Minister and Dan Masanin Kano.
Governor El-Rufai said the country will miss the wise counsel of the late Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Sule, whom he described as a titan.
The governor prayed Allah to grant peaceful repose to the soul of this titan who reached out to young and old alike, who earned and retained the respect of many and was blessed to live to a ripe old age.
In a condolence message, Malam El-Rufai described the late ambassador as a statesman and noted orator who was among the generation that laid the foundations of modern Nigeria.
As a young minister in the First Republic and in other roles in public life, Sule served the people of this country with panache and refreshing optimism.
The governor described it as a privilege to have known this elder-statesman, and to have benefitted from his prayers and counsel. He observed that the generation that secured independence and partook in the daunting task of governing a young country is disappearing, saying that “we thank Allah for their lives and service. We pray for Allah’s mercy on the departed and guidance for those of us that remain as we seek to do our duty to our people and our country.”
Also in its condolence message signed by its Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, the ACF said: “Arewa Consultative Forum ACF learnt with grief and shock the passing on of the great elder statesman, Sule, Dan Masanin Kano today 3rd July 2017 in Egypt.
“Sule was one of the pioneer Ministers in the first Republic, a Minister in the second Republic, Nigerian Permanent Ambassador in the United Nations.
“He was an astute and eloquent administrator per excellence, a great politician, bridge builder who lived a fulfilled life in the service of Nigeria.
“Nigeria and indeed the North have loss a great elder statesman, who endeared himself to all through his promotion of the values which late Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardaunan of Sokoto stood for. These include justice, liberty, common decency and equal opportunity for all which most Northerners share.
“However, he would have been happier if the values he died for were being put into practice. ACF therefore calls upon Nigerians to emulate and live up his legacy in our daily lives.
“ACF extends its heartfelt condolences to Kano Emirate Council, the Government and people of Kano State and Nigeria in general. May Allah (SWT) grant him eternal rest in Aljannah Firdaus and Nigerians the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
He’s an epitome of a true Nigerian, says Tinubu
ALL Progressives Congress national stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday described the late Maitama Suleas a detribalised Nigerian.
He said his death was not only a loss to his family and Kano State but also to the entire country and indeed the international community.
Asiwaju Tinubu said in a statement by his Media Office in Lagos: “The death in Cairo, Egypt on Monday of Danmasanin Kano, Alhaji Maitama Sule, is a loss not only to his family, Kano State, but also to Nigeria and Nigerians.
“But we must all be consoled by the fact that he lived to a ripe age. And in his lifetime, he made an indelible mark as a politician, diplomat and statesman.
“He personified what we should all be: Nigerians who know no tribe, region or religion. Dan Masanin Kano was a truly detribalised Nigerian. He was always at the vanguard of peace and unity.
“His death has reduced the rank of true nationalists at this time when the nation is in dire need of wise counsel on how to navigate through potential landmines.
“Dan Masanin Kano was a rare statesman and an orator who can move mountains with words. I related with him closely and drank from his vast knowledge.
“I will personally miss him. May Almighty Allah grant him Aljanna Fridaus.”
