By Joshua Egbodo Abuja
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara has described the death of elder statesman, Yusuf Maitama Sule, as loss of a great icon of peace in Africa. Dogara, who in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Aff airs, Mr. Turaki Hassan, yesterday said Sule died when his wise counsels were needed most, adding that although he was of age, the sad news of his death came to him as a shock. Th e speaker said the Danmasani was a colossus, patriot, father to all, and a distinguish elder statesman who wrote his name in gold in the annals of Nigeria’s history.
Th e statement read in part: “From struggle for independence, to his stewardship as a Federal MP, Federal Commissioner of public complaints, to his service as Nigeria’s permanent Representative to the United Nations, Alhaji Maitama Sule’s record of public service was excellent, exemplary and worthy of emulation. “Even at old age, and faced with health challenges, the late elderstatesman never relented in building bridges of friendship, peace and preaching love amongst 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. “His death is a monumental and huge loss to Nigeria and indeed the African continent
in view of his contributions to the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. “Unfortunately, Maitama Sule died at a time when his elderly wisdom, experience, and deep sense of patriotism is much needed in our country given the fact that we are passing through a challenging phase in our history as a nation. “Our special and heartfelt condolence goes to his immediate family, the people and government of Kano state even as we join all Nigerians and people of goodwill in mourning this monumental loss.”
