Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki have joined leagues of influential Nigerians outpouring emotions over the death of Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule.
TheNewsGuru.com reports that the two-time minister and former Nigerian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, died in the early hours of Monday (today) at 88.
Osinbajo in a statement noted that Nigerians home and away will miss the immense contribution of the late elder statesman for the forseeable future.
His statement reads: “On behalf of President Muhammadu Buhari, the Government and the entire people of Nigeria, the Acting President conveys heartfelt condolences on this loss of a great national asset,” Mr. Osinbajo said in a statement signed by his spokesman, Laolu Akande.
The acting president urged Mr. Sule’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.
“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.”
The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki also expressing his shock in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, described the late Sule as a detribalized Nigerian who spoke truth to power at all times during his lifetime.
He described the late Sule as an avowed and highly respected personality, core democrat, fearless politician, exceptional orator and an accomplished public servant.
While commiserating with the immediate family of the deceased, the Emir of Kano, the Government and people of Kano State over the irreparable loss, the Senate President noted that it was gratifying that the late Sule lived long to, as one of those who fought for the nation’s independence, witness the modest achievements of Nigeria as a nation.
As a mark of respect for the late Dan Masanin Kano, Saraki urged Nigerians to toe the path of dialogue in addressing their grievances and eschew ethnic tensions as embodied by the late former minister, saying that, “this is the highest respect we will pay to his legacies”.
He called on both the Federal and the Kano State Governments to immortalize the great icon of peace and an advocate of justice and fairness.
He stated that the deceased would be sorely missed for his knowledge, political sagacity, philanthropy, oratory and courage.
Saraki said: “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.
“He would remain an inspiration to both present and forthcoming generations on the lessons of tolerance, unity, and peaceful coexistence. He left at a time his wise counsel is in dire need to navigate our way out of current challenges confronting the country. I pray the Almighty Allah to grant his soul aljannah firdaus and his family the fortitude to bear the loss,” he said.