It is six years since the demise of former President, Umaru Musa Yar’adua. Nigerians and notable citizens across the country have bared their minds concerning the legacies of "the rule of law apostle."
The President of the Senate and Chairman of the National Assembly, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki said: "It is exactly six years ago since you bid us good bye but it is just like yesterday. Your selflessness, patriotism, integrity and legacies make your memory indelible in our hearts."
Recounting Yar'Adua's legacies, Saraki added: "We remember you now and always as a worthy family man, public servant, Governor and President. May the Almighty Allah continue to grant you peace till we meet to part no more."
On his part, the immediate past president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan opined thus: “Six years ago I lost a dear friend and partner in democracy, peace and progress. President Umaru Musa Yar’adua was a servant leader and a stickler for the rule of law" Goodluck Jonathan wrote on Facebook while eulogizing his former boss.
"He may be gone but he is never to be forgotten. I pray for his soul and for him to rest in al Jannah firdaus” said Jonathan.
Going memory lane, Goodluck Jonathan became acting president under the principle of necessity in the wake of Yar'Adua's illness. He eventually succeeded his boss as President following the Yar'Adua's demise.
If anything, Nigerians would remember Yar'Adua for his sincerity of purpose and gentility. Indeed, he was "the Rule of Law Apostle." It would take a humble Yar'Adua to acknowledge that the elections that brought him to power were flawed by irregularities. However, he resolved to sanitise the system and ensure credible elections in the country - This he did.
It is important to also recall that the late President formed "a government of national unity" after winning the controversial polls of 2007 under the People's Democratic Party. At a time that party stalwarts and political buccaneers were chanting "the winner takes it all" song, president Yar'Adua would not listen to that melody.
The unity and development of the country were at the heart of his personal mantra. To further entrench peace and security in the country, in September 2008, the President Yar'Adua announced the formation of a Niger Delta Ministry with the aim of putting an end to the unrest in the oil-rich region and ensuring the development of the area.
"He met militant leaders and convinced them and thousands of their fighters to give up their weapons during a three-month amnesty in 2009, giving hope of peace at last for the poverty-stricken region."
Little wonder the former governorship candidate for Bayelsa State and Chairman of Mosilo Group, Moses Siloko Siasia described him as a sincere and compassionate leader who meant the best for his country men and women.
In a statement to mark the sixth anniversary of the death of the former President, Siasia said, “He was sincere in achieving peace in the then restive Niger Delta area. His sincerity made it easier for the militants to drop arms and embrace the amnesty programme, which brought peace and economy boost to the country and the deliberate creation of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs."
"The legacy of late President Musa Yar’Adua lives on. He was a sincere and committed leader” he further stressed while noting the legacies of Yar'Adua six years after.
Siasia also used the occasion to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to use the life and times of the late leader as a roadmap for his government.
“President Buhari should be sincere in dealing with the needs of the Niger Delta people by engaging true leaders of the region to address the challenges. He should not only listen to his ministers but consult other stakeholders in the region. Late President Yar’Adua consulted some of us whenever, there were crises in the region," he added.
No doubt, the former Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria Chemistry graduate paid his dues to the academia in Nigeria and beyond. For the records, he lecturered in the following institutions: Holy Child College in Lagos (1975–76), College of Arts, Science, and Technology in Zaria and Kaduna State, between 1976 and 1979; College of Art Science (1979-1983). Between1984 and 1985, he was a member of the Governing Council of Katsina College of Arts, Science and Technology Zaria and Katsina Polytechnic.
Being the first graduate to lead Nigeria in 40 years, the late ex-president raised the stakes of academic excellence for all young Nigerians who wish to become leaders.
Born on 16 August 1951, Yar'Adua was the 13th President of Nigeria. Coming from an aristocratic Fulani family, he became governor of Katsina State from 29 May 1999 to 28 May 2007.
Having won the 21 April 2007 elections, he was sworn in on 29 May 2007. It will be recalled that Yar’ Adua was the president of Nigeria from 2007 to 2010. His presidency was, however, cut short on May 5 of that year when he died in Aso Rock of pericarditis after receiving treatment in Saudi Arabia.
Like any other human being, he had his fair share of errors but like our people would say, "better say nothing than speak ill of the death." May Allah grant him eternal rest in Aljannatu Firdausi even as we remember him six years after!
Fr. Justine John Dyikuk is an author, freelancer and an ecclesiastical-communication consultant. He is currently the editor of Bauchi Caritas Newspaper and the Director of Social Communications, Catholic Diocese of Bauchi!
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