President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, said Alhaji Maitama Sule was a nationalist whose death in the early hours of Monday was a great loss to the nation.
Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, described the deceased as “a detribalised Nigerian who spoke truth at all times during his lifetime’’.
He said the Sule was an avowed and highly respected personality, core democrat, fearless politician, exceptional orator and an accomplished public servant.
He said that it was gratifying that the elder statesman lived long to, as one of those who fought for the nation’s independence; witness the modest achievements of Nigeria as a nation.
As a mark of respect for the late politician, Saraki urged Nigerians to follow the path of dialogue in addressing grievances and eschew ethnic tensions as embodied by the late former minister.
He said: “This is the highest respect we will pay to his legacies.”
He called on the Federal and Kano State Governments to immortalize the “great icon of peace and an advocate of justice and fairness’’.
Saraki stated that the deceased would be sorely missed for his knowledge, political sagacity, philanthropy, oratory and courage.
He said: “The news of the demise of Alhaji Maitama Sule came to me with shock.
“This is one man that has become a permanent feature in the politics of the country, beginning from first republic when he was appointed a minister at a youthful age.
“Through sheer oratory, the name Maitama Sule had become synonymous with wit and wisdom. He never minced words when speaking against ills in society and how to curb them.
“He will remain an inspiration to present and forthcoming generations on the lessons of tolerance, unity and peaceful co-existence.
“He left at a time his wise counsel is in dire need to navigate our way out of current challenges confronting the country.’’
Similarly, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, described Sule’s death as a monumental loss to the African continent.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, in Abuja, Dogara said that though Sule was of age, news of his death was shocking.
He said that the late Danmasani Kano was a colossus, patriot, father to all, and a distinguished elder statesman, who wrote his name in gold in the annals of Nigeria’s history.
Dogara said: “From struggle for independence, to his stewardship as a Federal Parliamentarian, Federal Commissioner of Public Complaints, to his service as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Maitama Sule’ s record of public service was excellent.
“His record of public service was also exemplary and worthy of emulation.
“Even at old age, and faced with health challenges, the late elder statesman never relented in building bridges of friendship, peace and preaching love among Nigerians.
“Undoubtedly, he was an icon of peace, transparency, a born orator, patriot and a distinguish statesman who gave his all for the unity and prosperity of Nigeria as one indivisible nation.”
On his part, Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, paid glowing tribute to the late politician and said his death was a “great blow” to Kano and the country.
Ekweremadu said: “This is the exit of a patriot, true statesman, role model, social crusader, diplomat of an uncommon pedigree, and an orator, who served the nation and humanity in many capacities.
“Although, he was popularly known as Dan Masanin Kano, some of us preferred to call him Dan Masanin Nigeria, for he had a rare national appeal and loomed larger than life itself even in his humility.
“A man of unimpeachable integrity and agent of national rebirth, Dan Masanin was, true to his title, a man of the people, mouthpiece of the poor, master of words, peacemaker, and diplomat per excellence.”
Ekweremadu regretted that Sule did not live to witness the Nigeria of his dream, which he fervently preached, prayed, and worked for.
He added: “As a people, therefore, we owe it to his memory to bring to fruition his dream of a truly united Nigeria where everyone is his brother’s keeper, a nation that is the pride of Africa.”
Saraki, Dogara, mourn Maitama Sule
President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, said Alhaji Maitama Sule was a nationalist whose death in the early hours of Monday was a great loss to the nation.
Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, described the deceased as “a detribalised Nigerian who spoke truth at all times during his lifetime’’.
He said the Sule was an avowed and highly respected personality, core democrat, fearless politician, exceptional orator and an accomplished public servant.
He said that it was gratifying that the elder statesman lived long to, as one of those who fought for the nation’s independence; witness the modest achievements of Nigeria as a nation.
As a mark of respect for the late politician, Saraki urged Nigerians to follow the path of dialogue in addressing grievances and eschew ethnic tensions as embodied by the late former minister.
He said: “This is the highest respect we will pay to his legacies.”
He called on the Federal and Kano State Governments to immortalize the “great icon of peace and an advocate of justice and fairness’’.
Saraki stated that the deceased would be sorely missed for his knowledge, political sagacity, philanthropy, oratory and courage.
He said: “The news of the demise of Alhaji Maitama Sule came to me with shock.
“This is one man that has become a permanent feature in the politics of the country, beginning from first republic when he was appointed a minister at a youthful age.
“Through sheer oratory, the name Maitama Sule had become synonymous with wit and wisdom. He never minced words when speaking against ills in society and how to curb them.
“He will remain an inspiration to present and forthcoming generations on the lessons of tolerance, unity and peaceful co-existence.
“He left at a time his wise counsel is in dire need to navigate our way out of current challenges confronting the country.’’
Similarly, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, described Sule’s death as a monumental loss to the African continent.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, in Abuja, Dogara said that though Sule was of age, news of his death was shocking.
He said that the late Danmasani Kano was a colossus, patriot, father to all, and a distinguished elder statesman, who wrote his name in gold in the annals of Nigeria’s history.
Dogara said: “From struggle for independence, to his stewardship as a Federal Parliamentarian, Federal Commissioner of Public Complaints, to his service as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Maitama Sule’ s record of public service was excellent.
“His record of public service was also exemplary and worthy of emulation.
“Even at old age, and faced with health challenges, the late elder statesman never relented in building bridges of friendship, peace and preaching love among Nigerians.
“Undoubtedly, he was an icon of peace, transparency, a born orator, patriot and a distinguish statesman who gave his all for the unity and prosperity of Nigeria as one indivisible nation.”
On his part, Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, paid glowing tribute to the late politician and said his death was a “great blow” to Kano and the country.
Ekweremadu said: “This is the exit of a patriot, true statesman, role model, social crusader, diplomat of an uncommon pedigree, and an orator, who served the nation and humanity in many capacities.
“Although, he was popularly known as Dan Masanin Kano, some of us preferred to call him Dan Masanin Nigeria, for he had a rare national appeal and loomed larger than life itself even in his humility.
“A man of unimpeachable integrity and agent of national rebirth, Dan Masanin was, true to his title, a man of the people, mouthpiece of the poor, master of words, peacemaker, and diplomat per excellence.”
Ekweremadu regretted that Sule did not live to witness the Nigeria of his dream, which he fervently preached, prayed, and worked for.
He added: “As a people, therefore, we owe it to his memory to bring to fruition his dream of a truly united Nigeria where everyone is his brother’s keeper, a nation that is the pride of Africa.”
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