By Martin Paul, Abuja and Umar Bayo Abdulwahab, Ilorin
Former Minister of State for Education, Saka Saadu, is dead, aged 83.
A statement by Director, Press & Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Education, Ihuoma Chinenye
yesterday, said Saadu has since been buried according to Muslim rites at his GRA residence in llorin, the Kwara state capital.
Education Minister, Malam Adamu Adamu, prayed the Almighty Allah to grant the soul of the departed elder statesman eternal rest, and to also give the family the fortitude to bear the huge loss.
According to the eldest son of the deceased, Bolaji Saadu, who confirmed the death of the former minister, said Chief lmam of llorin, Mohammed Bashir, led the Janazah prayer, which took place at the family House of the late Minister at Okekere, llorin.
The janazah prayer was attended by several eminent indigines of llorin, top government functionaries in federal and Kwara state governments and people from all walks of life.
Saadu was s former commissioner in the old Kwara state between 1975 and 1978.
He was also a former Permanent Secretary to the Military Government & Head of Service in Kwara from 1988 to 1990.
The late minister was acting Chairman, University of Ilorin Governing Council and co-author of Nigeria Secondary School Science Project (CESAC) 1970.
Saadu was a prominent member of Ansarul Islam Society of Nigeria and has passion for chemistry and mathematics.
Meanwhile, the Kwara state Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, has described the death as a shock and great loss to the state.
In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Abdulwahab Oba, Mr. Ahmed said the late educationist would long be remembered for his outstanding contributions to the development of education in Nigeria.
According to the governor, as a public officer, Mr. Saadu was an administrator per excellence and the state would no doubt miss his wealth of experience in repositioning the state’s civil service.
Ahmed described the deceased as a community leader and devoted Muslim, who lived an exemplary life in the service of Allah and his community.
The governor prayed Allah to grant the deceased eternal rest and give the family the fortitude to bear the loss.
