APC, Dogara, Govs, Others Mourn Maitama Sule

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BY MUSA SIMON REEF, ABUJA – The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday expressed grief over the death of former Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Sule who passed on in Cairo, Egypt, today at the age of 88.

The APC commiserated with the late Maitama Sule’s 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.

According to a press statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, “Nigeria has indeed lost a distinguished politician, progressive voice, public servant and patriot who made the country proud in all public assignments he undertook on behalf of the country – locally and internationally.

“The Party recalls fondly the late Maitama 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 Maitama 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 Maitama 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 Maitama Sule eternal rest and the family, the strength to bear the great loss.”

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) described the death of the retired diplomat as a great loss to Nigerians and prayed for Gid to grant peaceful repose to the soul o the Danmasanin Kano.

According to a statement by the chairman of the NGF and Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar , Maitama Sule was described as “an astute politician, administrator and orator who has impacted the nation positively in various spheres of human endeavor, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum said the nation will hardly recover from the loss of such a wise fella who passion for national development is unquenchable.

“Governor Yari Abubakar described the late Yusuf Maitama Sule as an orator and former diplomat who was also a complete gentleman and good citizen who dedicated his life to the unity, progress and development of Nigeria.

“Yari Abubakar said that the Nigeria Governors Forum and indeed all the governors of the country had always relied on the Dan Masanin Kano, Alhaji Maitama Sule 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.”

The statement signed by the Head of Media and Public Affairs of the NGF, Abulrazque B. Barkindo,  quoted Governor  Yari Abubakar as saying, “Our country has lost a rare gem. Dan Masani 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,” the statement added.

On his part, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Yakubu Dogara, said with the demise of the Danmasanin Kano, “Africa has lost a patriot, icon of peace

According a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, the Speaker declared that though the retired diplomat was of age, “nonetheless the sad news of his death came to him as a shock.

“Dan Masani was a colossus, patriot, father to all, and a distinguished elder statesman who wrote his name in gold in the annals of Nigeria’s history.”

Former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, expressed sadness over the demise of the foremost nationalist and patriot, recalling that “Sule’s towering influence, achievements, intellect and oratory prowess in the evolution of contemporary Nigeria remain extraordinarily impressive.

In a statement signed by his media assistant, Paul Mumeh, Mark recalled that the “position of Sule as it concerned the welfare and wellbeing of Nigerians was clear and unambiguous. He stood firm for the peace and unity of Nigeria. He was a noble man.

“In Maitama Sule, we have lost an unrepentant patriot, nationalist per excellence, a lover of dignity of labour and a soldier who fought in the defence of the ordinary man”.

 Mark paid glowing tribute to Sule, saying, he will occupy a prominent chapter in the history of the nation as one of the forefront nationalists who laid the foundation for modern day Nigeria.

 Meanwhile, the Kano State Government has declared tomorrow Tuesday as a public holiday in the state to mourn the death of the elder statesman.

According to a statement signed by the Kano State Commissioner for Information, Malam Muhammad Garba, “Dr. Yusuf Maitama Sule died at a hospital in Cairo, Egypt, where he was receiving treatment for an illness.
“Funeral prayer for the deceased will be conducted tomorrow Tuesday at the Emir’s Palace, Kofar Kudu, by 4:00pm.
“Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has declared tomorrow Tuesday a work – free day in the state to mourn the death of the elder statesman.”

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