Reactions have continued to pour in over the demise of elder statesman, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule with President Muhammadu Buhari sending in a personally signed letter of condolence to the Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, ex Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Ogun State’s Governor Ibikunle Amosun have also been mourning the exit of the great politician.
According to a special release from one of President Buhari’s spokesmen, Shehu Garba, the ailing President expressed profound shock over the death of the elder statesman.
The letter, personally signed by the President, also described the death of Alhaji Sule as a “heavy loss.”
It will be delivered by the federal government delegation to the burial as constituted by the Acting President.
The President’s letter reads thus:
“I have heard this morning, the death of the venerable Alhaji Maitama Sule, Dan Masanin Kano, and one of Nigeria’s famous sons. Although, I knew he was in poor health for some time, his death nonetheless, came as a profound shock.
“As a Minister in the First Republic, he was one of those who assisted our Founding Fathers, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello and Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, to fashion Nigeria politically and lay the grounds of national co-existence.
“Maitama Sule was blessed by God with a wonderful voice and outstanding eloquence. He served with distinction in the First Republic, the Second Military regime, as well as the Second Republic, without him being tainted with the remotest hint of scandal.
“As a person, I found him personable with unceasing good humour. Nothing personified his faith more than the fact that on losing his sight, he did not retreat in himself sulking on account of his ill-fortune. Quite to the contrary, he honoured virtually all invitations extended to him and spoke as usual with singular eloquence and unparalleled wit.
“In my discussions with him, I greatly valued his counsel, and I never ceased to be amazed by his concern for the well-being of his country rather than his personal interests.
“Let me extend my sincere condolences to Your Excellency, family and friends, the Government and people of Kano, and Nigerians as a whole, for this most heavy loss. We shall not soon see the like of him. May God forgive his sins and admit him to Paradise, Amin.”
On the part of Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, he said he received with profound sorrow the news of the passing away of Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule, orator, elder-statesman, distinguished diplomat and the Danmasinin Kano.
According to Osinbajo’s spokesman, Laolu Akande, he extended deep and heartfelt condolences to Maitama Sule’s family, friends, associates and the government of Kano State, praying that the Almighty God comforts all.
One-time Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Federal Minister in the first republic, Dr. Maitama Sule, according to the Acting President, is best remembered on the global scene, as one of our country’s foremost envoys whose clarity of voice and vision contributed significantly to the high esteem and respect Nigeria earned at the United Nations.
Read Osinbajo further “At home, Prof. Osinbajo also remembers Alhaji Sule as an illustrious son of Nigeria noting that his death is a loss to the nation. The Acting President observed that Alhaji Sule, a great Nigerian leader and committed nationalist, positioned himself as an agent of unity.
“Even as he advanced gracefully in age, he was always prepared to reach out to other leaders of thought across the country in the noble quest for unity, tolerance and national cohesion. He did not waver in lending his voice to the promotion of moderation in national discourse, and his graceful conduct thereto would be sorely missed”.
According to the Acting President, Alhaji Sule never relented applying his wealth of experience to advance the cause of unity, peace and progress of Nigeria, and his fatherly counsel to those in authority had always been bold, sincere and untainted.
While commending his patriotic fervour, and passionate zeal for public service, the Acting President recalled Alhaji Sule’s unparalleled dedication to duty as a formidable diplomat, politician, Minister and acclaimed orator whose well researched and excellently delivered speeches inspired and impressed several Nigerians, including himself (-i.e. the Acting President).
He urged the octogenarian’s family, friends and associates to be consoled by the fact that his selfless commitment to the stability of Nigeria will not be forgotten and would always be honoured.
On behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Government and the entire people of Nigeria, the Acting President conveyed heartfelt condolences on this loss of a great national asset. His prayer is that Allah will bless his memory, grant the family and all of us Nigerians the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Meanwhile, Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has described Alhaji Maitama Sule, who joined his ancestors, at the early hours of Monday, as a true nationalist who gave dedicated and unbroken service to Nigeria.
Amosun in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Otunba Dayo Adeneye, said the deceased was generous to a fault and a truly public spirited leader who gave away everything he owned, including his life, in order to uplift the dignity of less fortunate Nigerians.
“Alhaji Maitama Sule’s name is firmly down in the political history of Nigeria, such as has already been written, and there is no doubt that his role will also be prominently highlighted in future references to the life of the nation”, Governor Amosun said.
He therefore prayed God to grant his family, the strength to bear the irreparable loss.
Packaged by Alice Egbedele
