Buhari: Late Ahmed Joda’s Services to Nigeria Immeasurable

*Declares he was a good, hardworking man, who never asked him for favours

Deji Elumoye in Abuja and Daji Sani in Yola

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

The President spoke yesterday in Yola, Adamawa State 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 the state who passed on recently.

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

Buhari, who was accompanied by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, recounted his personal relationships with the deceased, noting that at various points, the three Adamawa sons played very supportive roles in his public service.
On late Joda, the President said, “Since I became Governor of North East, under General Olusegun Obasanjo and later Minister, 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.”

Buhari noted that from the antecedents of his close working relationship with the people of Adamawa and how they had distinguished themselves, he appointed one of their sons the Minister of FCT, to a very important position.
He said: “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.”

He said the indigenes of Adamawa State “are very reliable and trustworthy in all aspects of life.”
The President said since his days as a military ruler, to now that he is a civilian President he had found Adamawa people very reliable.

“The late Ahmed Joda was equally a good and hardworking person. He headed my transition committee in 2015. The only thing I can say to Adamawa people is thank you. I appreciate all you have done for me. May the souls of the departed rest in peace; may God rest their souls.”
The President prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed and divine comfort for their families.

In his remarks, 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, was getting married to Zahra, the daughter of Nasiru Ado Bayero, the Emir of Bichi.

The Adamawa governor thanked the President for sending a delegation last week, as well and for coming personally to condole with the state.
“Just few days ago you sent a powerful delegation led by the Secretary to Government of the Federation and today you are here personally to console us. We thank you sir for this show of love,” Fintiri said.

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.