Maitama Sule, Elder Statesman Passes On

Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule, elder statesman and former Nigeria’s representative to the United Nations,  is dead. He was 87 years old. Confirming the death, the only surviving son of the late orator and Dan Masani Kano, Alhaji Mukhtar Maitama Sule told newsmen at his Dawakin residence that his father passed on at an Egyptian hospital in the early hours of yesterday.

According to Mukhtar, the late sage would be flown back to the country today for burial scheduled to hold by 4:00 p.m. The Kano State government has declared today a work-free day in honour of the deceased.

In his condolence message, Governor Abdullah Umar Ganduje expressed shock over the death of Sule, which he described as a huge loss not only to Kano but the entire nation.

  A statement by Commissioner for Information, Youth and Culture Mal. Muhammad Garba noted that Ganduje asked that the work- free day be used to pray for the repose of the soul of the late sage.

Before his transition yesterday, Sule had been rumoured dead twice: on March 13, 2013 and on April 5, 2016. On the first occasion, his Personal Assistant, Ashiru Sheriff debunked the rumour with admonition that journalists should always authenticate their news report before going to the public.

The claim by Sheriff in refuting the speculations on March 13, 2013 that “Dr. Maitama Sule is alive and well” would later, in July 2013, be confirmed during an explosive interview with The Guardian, which was published on Sunday, July 28, 2013.

Similarly, on April 5, 2016, the same Sheriff debunked the rumour that the elder statesman had died. “The rumour of the death of Danmasani is not true because as I am talking to you now he is hale and hearty,” the personal assistant had said then.

Eminent Nigerians, including President Muhammadu Buhari, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara extolled the virtues of the deceased whom they described as a great nationalist.

Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Garba Shehu, said Buhari sent a personal letter of condolence to Governor Ganduje in which he expressed shock over the death of Sule.

The letter, said to have been personally signed by the President, also described the death of Sule as a “heavy loss.” Shehu said the letter would be delivered by the Federal Government delegation to the burial as constituted by the Acting President, Yemi Osinbajo.

Osinbajo who described the late Sule as a distinguished diplomat, extended condolences to his family, friends, associates and the government of Kano State. Sule, according to the acting president in a statement, is best remembered on the global scene, as one of Nigeria’s foremost envoys whose clarity of voice and vision contributed significantly to the high esteem and respect Nigeria earned at the United Nations.

At home, Osinbajo remembered Sule as an illustrious son of Nigeria, noting that his death was a loss to the nation. He observed that Sule positioned himself as an agent of unity.

In a statement also, Saraki said Sule should be remembered as one of those who fought for the nation’s independence and witnessed the modest achievements of Nigeria as a nation and, as an avowed and highly respected personality, core democrat, fearless politician, exceptional orator and an accomplished public servant.