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The world received with grief, last Wednesday, news ofthe passage of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. The president, who had been gravely ill since he left the country for medical treatment in Saudi Arabia on November 23, last year, passed on at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja.


Yar’Adua, who had earlier been diagnosed of a heart problem, acute pericarditis, lost the gallant battle for life at the age of 58. He was Nigeria’s 13th Head of State and the fifth to die in office. He has since been buried in his hometown in Katsina State, while erstwhile Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, was sworn in as President on Friday, in accordance with Section 146 of the Nigerian Constitution.

Yar’Adua’s passage, in spite of his long illness, caught many people unawares, especially because of recent reports of improvements in his health. The sad incident elicited an outpouring of grief and condolences from both within and without the country.

The late president, who embodied the hopes and aspirations of Nigerians for good governance for two and a half years, was a man of sterling qualities that endeared him to the people. He encompassed in his fragile frame, a strong will, basic decency, palpable empathy for the people and an uncommon devotion to the public good. His rare personal integrity and devotion to God and the people stand out as shining qualities that should be emulated by all our leaders.

Tributes have come in from leaders all over the world, eulogizing Yar’Adua. American President, Barack Obama, spoke glowingly of his profound decency, commitment to public service and invaluable contributions to peace and stability in Africa.

Yar’Adua, in spite of his long battle with ill health in office recorded modest progress on a number of issues that were close to the heart of Nigerians. He succeeded in restoring relative peace to the restive Niger Delta with a laudable amnesty programme that saw militants that had all but brought the Nigerian economy to its knees, laying down arms and opting for rehabilitation. His firm belief in the rule of law was glaring in his respect for court rulings and the independence of the judiciary. He admitted that the election, through which he emerged as president, was flawed, and did not interfere with the proceedings and judgments of the courts, even when governors elected on the ticket of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had their elections annulled.

Yar’Adua demonstrated a firm resolve to reform the nation’s beleaguered electoral system. He set up the Electoral Reforms Committee, headed by the retired Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Mohammed Uwais. Unfortunately, he was unable to see the reforms through.
Yar’Adua’s directive to heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government to return unspent budget funds to the national treasury was another significant decision that endeared him to Nigerians. He also promptly declared his assets on assumption of office in 2007, and made the details public, to set an example for other public officers.

However, Yar’Adua’s electoral promise to transform Nigeria through a 7 – Point Agenda comprising seven focal areas – Power and Energy, Food Security and Agriculture, Wealth Creation and Employment, Mass Transportation, Security, Land Reform, and Qualitative and Functional Education – was largely unfulfilled. His vow to declare an emergency in the energy sector to address the challenge of epileptic power supply was not accomplished. His, undoubtedly, is a story of a leader who was passionate about public service, but lacked the robust health and energy to actualize most of his good plans for the country.

Yar’Adua is the fifth Nigerian leader to die in office. Others are Gen. Sani Abacha, who died on June 8, 1998; Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa, January 15, 1966; Major General Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, July, 1966; and General Murtala Mohammed, February 13, 1976.
Alhaji Yar’Adua was born in Katsina on August 16, 1951. He had his early education at Raffuka Primary School, Katsina (1988-1963); Dutsina Boarding Primary School (1962 – 1964); Government College, Keffi (1965 – 1969) and Barewa College, Zaria (1970 – 1971)
He obtained a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) degree in Education and Chemistry and Master of Science (M.Sc) in Analytical Chemistry from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, between 1972-1975 and 1978 – 1980. He began his career as a Lecturer at Kaduna State College of Arts, Science and Technology (1976 – 1979).

He was Senior Lecturer/Head Department of Science and Mathematics, Katsina Polytechnic (1979 – 1983). The late president was a member of the Constituent Assembly, 1988. He served either as Director or Chairman of several companies including Habib Bank, The Nation Press Limited, Kaduna and the Katsina State Investment and Property Development Company. He was elected Executive Governor of Katsina State in 1999, and President, Federal Republic of Nigeria on April 21, 2007.

He assumed leadership of the country after he was sworn in as president on May 29,2007. He received the National Honour, Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR) in the same year. He also held the traditional title, Tafidan Katsina.
Yar’Adua’s death has brought to a close another chapter in Nigeria’s chequered leadership history. The nation is observing a 7-day mourning period, with all national flags flying at half-mast in memory of the departed leader.

The demise of Yar’Adua is painful and regrettable. He will be remembered for his great humility, unwavering respect for the rule of law and a strong commitment to peace and stability of the country.

We commiserate with the entire Yar’Adua family and the people and government of Nigeria on this irreparable loss. We bid the late president a respectful farewell. May the peace of Allah rest upon him.