Buhari: Joda’s Services to Nigeria Immeasurable

Deji Elumoye in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has described the services of the late former “Super” Federal Permanent Secretary, Ahmed Joda, to Nigeria as immeasurable, saying in all the years he knew the revered public administrator, he never requested any favours from him.

The president spoke Friday in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, at the palace of Lamido Adamawa, Alhaji Muhammadu Barkindo Musdafa, during a condolence visit to the families of three elder statesmen and prominent sons of Adamawa State who passed on recently.

The families are those of Joda, a former Permanent Secretary and Chairman of the transition committee that ushered in President Buhari’s administration in 2015; Dr Mahmoud Tukur, former Minister of Commerce and Industry during his military administration; and Abdullahi Danburam Jada, former Minister of Animal Health and Northern Cameroons Affairs in the defunct Northern Region Government.

President Buhari, who was accompanied by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, recounted his personal relationships with the deceased, noting that at various points, the three Adamawa sons played very supportive roles in the public service.

On late Joda, the president said: ‘‘Since I became Governor of North East, under General Olusegun Obasanjo and later Minister, Ahmed Joda was part of those who assisted me, until his transition.

‘‘He was very supportive each time I called on him as governor, Minister and President and he never demanded any favours from me, either in cash or any form of gratification.’’

Also speaking on late Mahmoud, the president said: ‘‘He was a bosom friend to my brother and they studied together in Europe. He also contributed much during my military administration and did well in his assignment.’’

President Buhari noted that from the antecedents of his close working relationship with the people of Adamawa and how they have distinguished themselves, he appointed one of their sons the Minister of FCT, a very important position.

According to him, ‘‘I gave an Adamawa indigene, Mohammed Bello, a huge and complicated assignment as FCT Minister. Although he is young, he is performing very well with the fear of God.”

While commiserating with the government, people and the Lamido of Adamawa on the demise of their illustrious sons, the president prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed and divine comfort for their families.

In his remarks, Governor Fintiri thanked the president for the condolence visit, saying: ‘‘Given your closeness to the deceased, we should have been the one travelling to Abuja to commiserate with you.’’

He commended the president for taking out time off his busy schedule to visit Adamawa on the same day his son, Yusuf, is getting married to Zahra Bayero, the daughter of Nasiru Ado Bayero, the Emir of Bichi in Kano.

On his part, the royal father, Lamido Adamawa, also conveyed the Emirate’s appreciation to President Buhari and his entourage, pronouncing blessings for safe travels and success in the president’s engagement in Kano for his son’s wedding.