Eminent Nigerians and groups have poured encomiums on the late elder statesman, Alhaji Maitama Sule, who died On Monday in Cairo, Egypt, at the age of 88.
Sule who held the tradittional title of Danmasanin Kano, was a Minister of Mines and Power in the First Republic, former Nigerian Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
He was also the Minister of National Guidance in 1983, a portfolio established to assist the then President Shehu Shagari in tackling corruptio. He was equally the pioneer Chairman of the Public Complaint Commission (PCC) and Chairman of the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid.
Sule was a True Nationalist, Says Niger Governor
The late former Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Alhaji Maitama Sule, has been described as: “a true nationalist who fought for the peace unity and progress of Nigeria.†The Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, said in a statement made available to journalists in Minna that the late envoy was not found wanting in whatever he believed in. The statement signed on behalf of the governor by his Chief Press Secretary, Jibrin Ndace, described the demise of Sule “as a great loss not only to Kano state but Nigeria in general.â€
The governor described the deceased “as a highly detribalised Nigerian who, in various capacities, fought for the unity, peace and progress of the country since independence. “The government and people of Niger State received the news with great shock and we send our deepest sympathy to our brothers and sisters in Kano and the country at large,†the statement said.
ACF, El-Rufai Express Sadness
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, have said Nigeria will missed the wise counsel of elder statesman, Alhaji Maitama Yusuf Sule who died in Cairo, Egypt, yesterday following a brief illness.
In separate statements issue in Kaduna, the forum and el-Rufai said Sule, was a great politician, bridge builder and one of those who laid the foundations of modern Nigeria. The ACF in its statement signed by its spokesman, Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, said news of Sule’s demise was came with shock and grief.
They noted that the deceased was one of the pioneer ministers in the First Republic, a minister in the Second Republic and later Nigeria’s Permanent Representative in the UN.
Tambuwal Mourns Maitama Sule
Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has described the death of Sule as a great loss, saying the deceased has impacted the nation positively in various spheres of human endeavour.
In a statement issued in Sokoto by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, Tambuwal described the late orator and former diplomat as a complete gentleman and good citizen who dedicated his life to the unity, progress and development of Nigeria.
Obaseki Condoles with Nigeria, Kano Govt
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has mourned Sule, describing him as a great leader, who contributed immensely to peace, development and security in the country as Minister for National Guidance in 1983, a portfolio established to assist the then President Shehu Shagari in tackling corruption.
In his condolence message to the people and government of Kano State, Obaseki recalled that the former minister actively engaged in the promotion of peace and security in the continent, working tirelessly through various diplomatic initiatives as Nigeria’s representative to the United Nations and as chairman of the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid.
Danmasanin Kano Lived, Died in Service of Nigeria Abubakar
Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar, has described the death of Maitama Sule, the Danmasanin Kano and former Nigerian Permanent Representative to the United Nations as a “colossal loss not only for northern Nigeria but the entire nation.â€
While commiserating with President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the government and people of Kano State, the family of the deceased, as well as all Nigerians.
Abubakar lamented that the death of the first republic minister has created a “big vacuum that is difficult to fill in the entire nation.â€
He was a True Nationalist, Says Amosun
Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has described Alhaji Maitama Sule, (Danmasanin Kano), who joined his ancestors in the early hours of yesterday as a true nationalist who gave dedicated and unbroken service to Nigeria.
Amosun in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, 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.
Masari: His Death is a Great Loss
Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State has condoled with Kano State Government and the family of Sule, , over his death, describing it as a great loss suffered by the nation.
Masari in a press release issued to THISDAY in Kano by Abdu Labaran Malumfashi, his senior special assistant on media. “It is with sadness and great sense of loss that I received the news of the death of elder statesman and fine gentleman, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule, Danmasanin Kano.
Okorocha Hails Contributions to Nation’s Development
Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, has described the death of Alhaji Maitama Sule as a rude shock, saying his contributions to nation’s building was monumental. The governor said with the demise of Sule, the nation and indeed Africa has lost one of the finest and vocal nationalists who lived his life preaching peace and unity of purpose for the nation.
He said as a federal minister and Nigerian Ambassador to the United Nations respectively and even as the then leader of the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF), the Dan Masanin Kano displayed exemplary leadership and commitment to service for the good of all.
His Death is a National Loss, Says Ishaku
Taraba State Governor, Darius Ishaku has described the death of Alhaji Maitama Sule as a national loss.
Ishaku who stated this during the flag off of distribution of equipment, hospital consumables and drugs to primary health care facilities in the state expressed deep shock over the death of the elder statesman saying he will be greatly missed by all Nigerians.
“It’s a sad news. We have lost an outstanding Nigerian, with high sense of national history. An intelligent and great statesman who was always on the side of truth,†the governor said.
Tinubu: Sule was a De-tribalised Nigerian
All Progressives Congress (APC) national stalwart, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has described the death of Alhaji Maitama Sule, a de-tribalised Nigerian.
He said his death was not only a loss to his family and Kano State but also to the entire country. 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. Danmasanin Kano was a truly detribalised Nigerian. He was always at the vanguard of peace and unity.â€
Death Has Robbed the Country of a True Patriot, Says Fayemi
The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has mourned the death of Sule who passed on yesterday at the age of 88, describing him as a forthright leader with a generous spirit.
Fayemi said Sule’s death has robbed the country of a true patriot, nationalist and peace maker.
The Minister, who commiserated with the family of the deceased, the people of Kano State in particular and Nigeria in general, stated that the late Ambassador was a distinguished leader, political thinker, strategies, foremost diplomat, courageous and candour to whatever he did. In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Yinka Oyebode, in Abuja, Fayemi recalled his relationship with the late leader, whom he described as a man who possessed a great depth of wisdom, wit and leader with a huge sense of history.
NGF Mourns Sule
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar, said the demise of Sule, was a great loss to the Nigerian people and to Kano State, its peoples and its emirate council in particular
Describing the deceased as an astute politician, administrator and orator who has impacted the nation positively in various spheres of human endeavor, the Chairman of the NGF said the nation will hardly recover from the loss of such a wise fella who passion for national development is unquenchable.
Abubakar described the late 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.
Ngige: Nigeria Lost a Colossus
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has described the death of the foremost elder statesman and diplomat, Sule is a monumental loss to Nigeria.
Ngige in a statement yesterday by his Special Assistant, Nwachukwu Obidiwe, said the late elder statesman zealously loved Nigeria and left worthy examples for the present and future generations to build on.
“Maitama Sule was a colossus whose life and time is a book, a must-read for all Nigerians interested in building a great nation. As Minister of Mines and Power in the First Republic, Maitama 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,†Ngige said.
Kalu Laments Icon’s Demise
Former Abia State Governor, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, has lamented the demise of Sule, stating that the nation has lost a rare gem.
The former governor, while acknowledging the contributions of the deceased to the socio-political development of Nigeria, noted that the late elderstatesman lived a purposeful life worthy of emulation.
According to Kalu, the late Sule’s counsel on national issues will be greatly missed, adding that he died at a time the country needed to tap from his vast reservoir of knowledge. In a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Kunle Oyewumi, Kalu said, “the demise of Alhaji Maitama Sule is saddening and indeed a huge loss to the country considering his vast contributions to national discourse.â€
He was a Great Nationalist, Says PDP
The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under Senator Ahmed Makarfi has said it received with great shock, the news of passing away of Sule.
The party on behalf of its entire organs, commiserated with the government and people of Kano State especially, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, in particular, the family of the deceased icon, and the nation over the demise of Sule.
In a statement issued by its spokesman, Dayo Adeyeye, PDP said the late Sule was the pioneer Chairman of the Public Complaint Commission (PCC) in 1975, an office created by the regime to hear complaints from Nigerians on all issues of governance. He carried out this responsibility diligently and reduced corruption index in the country by using the PCC platform to expose corrupt officers in government.
Daniel: He was an Untiring, Remarkable Politician
Former Governor of Ogun State, Gbenga Daniel, has described the late Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule 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.
“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.â€
NPSG: His Exit is Painful
The Nigeria Political Summit Group (NPSG) has lamented the demise of Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Sule as a loss too much for the country at a time when Nigeria needed the elder stastesman’s experience and oratory intervention most.
In a statement in Lagos yesterday, the Coordinating Secretary of NPSG, Olawale Okunniyi, who is also the National Secretary of the Nigeria Consensus Group of the Project Nigeria Movement, a body in which the late sage played active leadership role with Prof Ben Nwabueze, SAN and others, lamented the transistion as coming at a time, when contending forces in Nigeria, would require the wealth of experience, clout and enigmatic intervention of the Danmasanin of Kano to contain the exacerbated ethnic and religious acrimony in Nigeria
“The NPSG is strongly shattered by the sudden demise of Baba Maitama Sule at this crucial time in the life of Nigeria, when we had planned to explore his wealth of experience to douse the heightening ethnic tension in the country.
“The country shall indeed miss this great ideologue with immense oratory profile, who has acquired a towering fatherly stature to engage and quieten the current political conflagration in Nigeria,†Okunniyi stated
