Goodluck, others mourn late Emir of Katsina - As Mark, others condole Yar’Adua

Segun Olaniyan, Katsina and Taiwo Adisa, Abuja - 10.03.2008

Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, Action Congress (AC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Bello Masari, have described the death of the late Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Muhammadu Kabir Usman, as a great loss to the nation.

Vice President Jonathan, who led a Federal Government delegation who included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, and other top government officials condoled President Umaru Yar’Adua, the Katsina State Government and the Emirate Council over the demise of the emir.

Dr. Jonathan described the late emir as an icon and a honest person who dedicated his life to the development of the country, adding that he would continue to be remembered for his exemplary leadership and selfless service to humanity.

“During his lifetime, the late Emir of Katsina had helped to keep the country united and ensure that all communities in Katsina State lived in peace with one another”, the VP remarked. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who paid a condolence visit to the emirate council, described the late emir as a great leader, a peace-maker and an epitome of humility.

Atiku said the late emir would remain in the minds of Nigerians especially people of Katsina, as the deceased launched the ancient city into modernity without losing its cultural heritage.

In a related development, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, who noted that the emir was a religious person, averred that Nigerians would only pay him back through prayers.

The President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, has condoled with the government and people of Katsina state, over the demise of the Emir.

In a condolence message sent by Senator Mark to the Katsina Emirate Council and made available to journlaists on Sunday, Mark described the demise of the elderstatesman as a great loss not only to the people of Katsina, but to Nigerians and the traditional institution.

According to Senator Mark, the late Emir was “a revered leader, Islamic scholar and a man of peace in all spheres. "He lived a life of peace, sacrifice and service to humanity. He brought honour and respect to Kastina Emirate. He was a true patriot." Also the former governor of Abia State, Dr Orji Kalu, has commiserated with the President Umaru Yar’Adua and the people of Katsina State on the death of the Emir.

A statement from Dr. Kalu described the Emir as God fearing, peace loving and honest Nigerian who would be greatly missed especially at this time of Nigeria’s development. The statement signed by Kalu’s Media Adviser, Mr. Emeka Omeihe, prayed to the Almighty God to grant the people of Katsina the fortitude to bear the loss.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Dimeji Bankole, has also sent a message of condolence to President Umar Musa Yar’Adua, the government and people of Katsina State over the death of Emir of Katsina, Dr. Muhammadu Kabir Usman.

In the message signed by the Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, the speaker said that the death was a big loss to the nation as it came at a time the nation needs the monarch’s wealth of experience to tackle its multifarious problems.

Bankole, also said the government and people of Katsina as well as Nigerians should be consoled in the “fact that the late Emir achieved longevity and that Allah giveth and taketh.”