From whatever parameter one judges the demise of the revered and selfl ess nationalist in the person of Danmasanin Kano, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule, there is no simple way one can get another person to replace him. Th is is based on his outstanding contributions to the development of the North in particular, and Nigeria as a whole. He had, indeed, departed to the great beyond at the time the country is crossing the turbulent waters of agitation for cessation and many more agitations that are seeking to put Nigeria on hold at the time his wise counsel could be employed in dousing such a disturbing challenge.
Th e late Maitama Sule had also died a pauper, leaving no stupendous wealth to be inherited by his children, despite the fact that in the defunct fi rst republic, he had wielded enormous infl uence. He was a close associate and confi dant of the late Premier of the Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto, who appointed him as the fi rst Minister of Petroleum Resources, a position he held for seven years, without amassing wealth. His words of wisdom motivated many Nigerians to think out-of-the-box and consider Nigeria’s unity as sacrosanct. He called on people of diverse ethnic and religious affi liations to put heads together in achieving a common goal for the country to forge ahead.
Th e news of his untimely death came to me like a thunderbolt. Th is because his death and total eclipse is a big blow to the quest for Nigeria’s unity, development and progress considering the inescapable fact that people like him are diffi cult to be replaced once they were committed to mother earth. At the time he was calling the short as a minister, he had exhibited the rare courage to live above board when others were doing the opposite.
He appreciated the fact that amassing an ill-gotten wealth at the expense of the treasury of the state would be inimical to his integrity, honour and prestige. It was reported that he even had to borrow money to transport himself and his family via a train during the military coup that led to the assassination of the late premier and Nigeria’s Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. But sadly, Maitama Sule arrived in Kano possessing no personal residence. With his stunning accomplishments and his revered name written in gold, the late Maitama Sule would continue to be remembered as a great patriot and nationalist whose prime goal was to ensure that nothing puts Nigeria asunder, for the legacy of the heroes’ past to be cherished and eternally sustained.
May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace, amen Hauwa Abdullahi Danladi, Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano
