Buhari, Obasanjo, Atiku, Saraki, Dogara, Dickson, others mourn former CBN governor, Ciroma

 

Condolences and tributes have continued to pour in for the family and memory of Adamu Ciroma, a former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), a foremost Nigerian politician who died on Thursday, aged 83.

President Muhammadu Buhari; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Senate President Bukola Saraki; Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson; Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara were amongst those who showered encomium on the dead statesman.

In a statement by Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President condoled the Ciroma family as well as the government and people of Yobe State on the death of the elder statesman.

The statement read, “The President believes that Ciroma as a political leader and federal cabinet Minister for Industries, Agriculture and Finance, at various points in his remarkable life, will be long remembered for his remarkable service and dedication to the country’s unity, progress and stability.

“President Buhari also affirms that the late former CBN Governor will be honoured too for his contributions in promoting democracy in Nigeria and his legacies should be a constant reminder to politicians who wish to work for the good of their communities and our great country.

“The President prays that Almighty Allah will grant Malam Ciroma eternal rest and comfort the elder statesman’s family, relatives, friends and associates.”

Also, the former president, Obasanjo described late Ciroma as a statesman who gave his best to his fatherland.

This was contained in a condolence letter dated Thursday 5th July, addressed to the wife of the deceased, a copy of which was made available to our correspondent in Abeokuta.

Adamu who was also a one-time governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria reportedly died in an Abuja hospital on Thursday after battling a protracted illness.

The former president also said the deceased was a distinguished public servant and one that was greatly admired by the general public and his peers as a straightforward and complete gentleman.

Obasanjo writes:  “While words are hardly enough to express our sympathy at this time, you can definitely take justifiable pride in the fact that your late husband was a statesman who gave of his best to his fatherland.  He will be sorely missed by all of us.

“Among other things, he will also be remembered as a distinguished public servant and one that was greatly admired by the general public and his peers as a straight-forward and complete gentleman.

“This, no doubt, is a moment of great grief for you and the entire family, but it is also clear that the deep sense of loss over the demise of your beloved husband is shared by many like me.

“He made outstanding contribution to the progress of the nation in many capacities.  He, no doubt, left behind a worthy legacy especially through his working careers as the District Officer, in Mambilla when Mambilla Plateau was almost inaccessible.

“He worked in the Premier’s office and later as the first Editor of the New Nigerian Newspaper from where he became the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria between 1975 and 1977.

“In all of these, he acquitted himself so diligently.

“Mallam Ciroma deserves all the tributes being paid to him by all his compatriots. Indeed, having had the privilege of close association with your late husband who was a friend and confidant for many years and my Minister of Finance during my administration as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria between 1999 and 2003.

” I can attest unreservedly to his being a democrat to the core and a committed patriot who worked tirelessly for the unity of the nation. ”

Obasanjo also described late Ciroma as “a seasoned politician noted for his tremendous organisational ability. “

Former vice president Atiku Abubakar said: “A lot of what I have turned out to be in life today was as a result of the early contacts and mentorship that I had with Adamu Ciroma, who graciously offered me vacation job in my formative years”.

“He was an astute politician, bureaucrat and banker who served Nigeria selflessly. His honesty and patriotism were among his greatest virtues – and he has left behind an untainted public service record for which he would always be remembered,” Abubakar added.

Abubakar was amongst the last politicians to see Ciroma before his demise. The former vice president visited him at the hospital on Tuesday while he was in coma, his spokesperson, Paul Ibe, said on Thursday.

Senate President Bukola Saraki described the development as a huge loss to the country.

“The passing of Mallam Adamu Ciroma is a monumental loss to the country,” the top lawmaker said in a statement. “Although death is painful, it gladdens my heart that late Ciroma lived a worthy and successful life. We shall miss him greatly.”

In a statement on behalf of himself and the House of Representatives, Dogara saw Ciroma as “an epitome of integrity.”

“Indeed we lost a great man, a patriot, leader par excellence and a shining star. Malam Adamu Ciroma was one of the few surviving close associates of the late Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, and the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello and he remained a consistent advocate for the struggle to see Nigeria achieve the dreams of her founding fathers”.

“He was an intellectual genius and highly cosmopolitan public servant who exhibited high sense of patriotism, passion and enthusiasm for the progress and development of the country while serving as first indigenous Editor and Managing Director of New Nigerian Newspaper, CBN Governor and Minister of various portfolios in different administrations in Nigeria.

“He was indeed a rare Nigerian, accomplished administrator, uncommon patriot and distinguished elder statesman, who lived an eventful, exemplary and accomplished life worthy of emulation,” the Speaker said.

Bayelsa State Gvernor, Seriake Dickson said Ciroma did not pass on at the right time for the larger Nigerian populace.

“We have lost a rare patriot and a nation builder. Mallam Adamu Ciroma passed on when his selfless services and wise counsel were most needed,” the governor said. “He has played his part in life very well. In and out of public service, he was a true Nigerian who rendered selfless service to fatherland.

“I urge Nigerian politicians to emulate his life of Service. I pray God to grant his family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear what is clearly an irreparable loss,” he added.

“Ciroma was a respected leader, who rose to serve Nigeria meritoriously when the occasion demanded,” Obaseki said in his condolence message.

“This can be gleaned from the number of public service offices he held and the panache with which he dispensed his roles,” the governor added. “I hereby extend my condolences to the government and people of Yobe State, his hometown, Potiskum, and his immediate family. I pray that God gives them the fortitude to bear the loss.”

Ciroma was said to have been buried on Thursday night following a Muslim prayer that was attended by Mr Saraki and other dignitaries at the An Nur Mosque, Abuja.