By AbdulRaheem Aodu Kaduna
Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed shock and grief over the death of Nigeria’s former permanent ambassador to the United Nations, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule, Danmasanin Kano, describing his death as a huge loss to Nigeria and the North. He died yesterday morning in Cairo, Egypt, after protracted Illness according to family sources. Speaking in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Malam Muhammad Ibrahim Biu, ACF said the late Maitama Sule was a great elder statesman, who endeared himself to all through his promotion of the values which late Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardaunan Sokoto stood for.
It read in part: “Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) learnt with grief and shock the passing on of the great elder statesman, Ambassador Yusufu Maitama Sule, Danmasanin Kano today (yesterday) July 3, 2017, in Egypt. Amb Sule was one of the pioneer Ministers in the First Republic, a Minister in the Second Republic, Nigerian Permanent Ambassador in the United Nations. He was an astute and eloquent administrator per excellence, a great politician, bridge builder who lived a fulfilled life in the service of Nigeria.
“Nigeria and indeed the North have lost a great elder statesman, who endeared himself to all through his promotion of the values which late Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardaunan Sokoto stood for. These include justice, liberty, common decency and equal opportunity for all which most Northerners share. However, he would have been happier if the values he died for were being put into practice. ACF, therefore, calls upon Nigerians to emulate and live up his legacy in our daily lives. “ACF extends its heart-felt condolences to Kano Emirate Council, the government and people of Kano state and Nigeria in general. May Allah (SWT) grant him eternal rest in Aljannah Firdaus and Nigerians the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
” Meanwhile, the family of the late diplomat and orator has announced that the corpse will arrive at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, today by 2pm, while the funeral will take place at the Emir of Kano’s Mosque by 4:30pm today. A statement signed by the deceased’s close aide, Malam Nashura Ashiru Sharriff, said: “We wish to announce that the corpse of the late Maitama Sule, Danmasanin Kano, is expected to arrive in Nigeria tomorrow (today).
