Jonathan, Atiku, Kalu, govs, others mourn

President Goodluck Jonathan yes­terday opened the floodgate of tributes and condolence messag­es over the death of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero. His was closely followed by that of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Senate President David Mark, House of Representatives speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, former gover­nor of Abia state Dr Orji Uzor kalu, state governors and traditional rulers among other eminent Nigerians who issued statements to mourn the Emir. Jonathan while condoling the Emir’s fam­ily and all the people of Kano over whom the Emir presided as traditional ruler for more than half a century, said his great wis­dom and competence will be greatly missed. He said he was mourning a monarch whose uncommon leadership qualities and evident faith in the peace, unity, progress, and prosperity of Nigeria combined to make him one of the most respected traditional rulers in the country during his long and very successful reign. The President said he believed that the late Bayero will always “be remembered and honoured by the people of Kano and all Nigerians for his immense wisdom and competence as a traditional ruler, as well as using his exalted throne to build bridges of unity, friendship and harmony across the na­tion”. In the same vein, Senate President David Mark, said with the death of the Emir, Ni­geria has lost a great asset. He described the demise of Alhaji Bayero as a monumental loss to the nation.. The Senate President also said that Bay­ero departed at a time when his wise counsel would have been needed to navigate through the nation’s trying times. Senator Mark urged Nigerians, especially the present crop of leaders to emulate the great virtues of patriotism, philanthropy, honesty and good leadership quality, which the late Bayero was known for. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, described the passing away of the Emir as a monumental loss to the entire country, saying he received the news of the passage with great sense of sad­ness. Tambuwal described the deceased as a strict disciplinarian who led an exemplary life characterised by honesty, fairness, gen­erosity and service to God and humanity. He said the late Emir treasured knowledge and the search for knowledge. “Under his long and glorious reign, Kano witnessed unprecedented boom in all spheres of human endeavour. It’s eminent status as a trading point and centre of com­merce in sub Saharan Africa was not only reaffirmed, but enhanced. Eminent businessman and former gover­nor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, also described the late Emir of Kano as a great monarch whose death is a big blow to the nation. Also, former Vice President Atiku Abuba­kar, said he has lost a father. According to him, the late Emir was a bridge builder. He noted that his relationship with the late Emir was that of a father and his favourite son spanning over three decades. The APC chieftain said that the late Bay­ero was not only loyal to his people in his immediate domain, but Nigeria and human­ity at large. In the same vein, Kogi State governor, Capt. Idris Wada has commiserated with the people of Kano State and especially the im­mediate family of the late Emir over the de­mise of the respected traditional ruler. In a condolence message signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Mr. Jacob Edi, the Kogi governor extolled the virtues of the departed royal majesty and urged the family to emulate his footsteps.