Buhari, Osinbajo, Saraki, Dogara, mourn
• Kano govt declares work-free day
Elder statesman and former Nigeria’s representative to the United
Nations, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule, is dead. He was 87 years old. Confirming
the death, the only
surviving son of the late orator and Dan Masani Kano,
Alhaji Mukhtar Maitama Sule told The Guardian at his Dawakin residence that his
father passed on at an Egyptian hospital in the early hours of yesterday.
Mukhtar said the late sage would be flown back to the country today for
burial scheduled to hold by 4:00 p.m. The Kano State government has declared
today a work-free day in honour of the deceased.
In his condolence message, Governor Abdullah Umar Ganduje expressed shock
over the death of Sule, which he described as a huge loss not only to Kano but
the entire nation. A statement by
Commissioner for Information, Youth and Culture Mal. Muhammad Garba noted that
Ganduje asked that the work- free day be used to pray for the repose of the
soul of the late sage.
Before his transition yesterday, Sule had been rumoured dead twice: on
March 13, 2013 and on April 5, 2016. On the first occasion, his Personal
Assistant, Ashiru Sheriff debunked the rumour with admonition that journalists
should always authenticate their news report before going to the public.
The claim by Sheriff in refuting the speculations on March 13, 2013 that
“Dr. Maitama Sule is alive and well” would later, in July 2013, be confirmed
during an explosive interview with The Guardian, which was published on Sunday,
July 28, 2013.
Similarly, on April 5, 2016, the same Sheriff debunked the rumour that
the elder statesman had died. “The rumour of the death of Danmasani is not true
because as I am talking to you now he is hale and hearty,” the personal
assistant had said then.
Eminent Nigerians, including President Muhammadu Buhari, Acting President
Yemi Osinbajo, President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House
of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara extolled the virtues of the deceased whom
they described as a great nationalist.
Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba
Shehu, said Buhari sent a personal letter of condolence to Governor Ganduje in
which he expressed shock over the death of Sule.
The letter, said to have been personally signed by the President, also
described the death of Sule as a “heavy loss.” Shehu said the letter would be
delivered by the Federal Government delegation to the burial as constituted by
the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo.
Osinbajo who described the late Sule as a distinguished diplomat,
extended condolences to his family, friends, associates and the government of
Kano State. Sule, according to the acting president in a statement, is best
remembered on the global scene, as one of Nigeria’s foremost envoys whose clarity
of voice and vision contributed significantly to the high esteem and respect
Nigeria earned at the United Nations.
At home, Osinbajo remembered Sule as an illustrious son of Nigeria,
noting that his death was a loss to the nation. He observed that Sule positioned
himself as an agent of unity.
In a statement also, Saraki said Sule should be remembered as one of
those who fought for the nation’s independence and witnessed the modest
achievements of Nigeria as a nation and, as an avowed and highly respected
personality, core democrat, fearless politician, exceptional orator and an
accomplished public servant.
“The news of the demise of Alhaji Maitama Sule came to me with shock.
This is one man that has become a permanent feature in the politics of the country,
beginning from First Republic when he was appointed a minister at his youthful
age. Through sheer oratory, the name Maitama Sule had become synonymous with
wit and wisdom. He never minced words when speaking against ills in society and
how to curb them,” Saraki said.
Dogara said: “From struggle for independence, to his stewardship as a
federal member of parliament, federal commissioner of public complaints, to his
service as Nigeria’s permanent representative to the UN, Alhaji Sule’ s record
of public service was excellent, exemplary and worthy of emulation.”
Governor of old Kaduna State, Alhaji Balarabe Musa and a chieftain of
pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo expressed
shock over Sule’s transition.
The late Maitama Sule started his political career in 1954 when he was
elected as a member of the Federal House of Representatives where he later
became Party Chief Whip between 1955 and 1956.
He later became the chief information officer, Kano Native Authority
(1958-1959) and minister, Federal Ministry of Mines and Power 1959 to 1966;
leader of Delegation of Conference of Independent African States, Addis Ababa,
1960; and a member, first Nigerian delegation to the UN 1960.
Sule was appointed as commissioner, Ministries of Local Government,
Co-operatives and Community Development, Information 1967 and later chief
public complaint commissioner from 1975 to 1978.
In early 1979, he was a presidential aspirant of the National Party of
Nigeria (NPN) but lost to former President Shehu Shagari in the primary.
He was appointed Nigeria’s representative to the United Nations after the
coming of civilian rule in October 1979. While there, he was chairman of the
United Nations Special Committee Against Apartheid. He was appointed as
minister for National Guidance in 1983.
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