Date Published: 05/10/10

Obasanjo: Jonathan will continue Yar’Adua plans

Olusegun Obasanjo

Obasanjo FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo was in Katsina yesterday to sympathise with the family of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who died last Wednesday at 58.

He promised them that the late Yar’Adua’s policies will be continued by the Dr Goodluck Jonathan administration.
Security was tight, with a swarm of soldiers and policemen at the Yar’Adua family home.

Obasanjo spent 15 minutes. He wrote of Yar’Adua in the condolence register: "You have done your best as far as you are concerned, as a community leader, as a governor and as a national leader. May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace."

Obasanjo spoke at the palace of the Emir of Katsina, Dr Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, after visiting the Yar’Aduas.
He showered praises on the late Yar’Adua for his anti-poverty programmes, promising that they would be continued by the new administration.

The Emir, who described Obasanjo as a friend of Katsina people, urged him to ensure that the policies of the late Yar’Adua do not die.
He urged the former President to give sound advice to the Dr Jonathan administration, particularly on fighting poverty which, in his view, is threatening many Nigerians.

Earlier at the family house of the late Yar’Adua, Obasanjo assured Yar’Adua’s mother, Hajia Habiba Dada, and his widow, Turai, that they will never be forgotten.The former President arrived at the late Yar’Adua’s home at exactly 2.55pm and prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

Obasanjo looked sober. Alhaji Yusuf London, who is the late Yar’Adua’s older brother, was assisted by the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk Umar, and two others to receive Obasanjo.

The former President, who rode in a Prado Landcruiser with registration No. Cross River, AA732 ABE, was accompanied by Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema.
With them were Katsina State Government Secretary Ibrahim Sayyadi, Head of Service Mohammed Danyaya and Hon. Salisu Yusuf Majigiri (representing, Mashi/Dutsi Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives).

Obasanjo made the trip to Katsina just after returning from Beljing, China aboard a Southern China Airlines aircraft which landed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. A private jet flew him to Katsina.

Obasanjo, who was ferried from the international terminal of the airport to the Presidential Lounge rushed into the expansive lounge changed his attire after the about 20 hours flight from Beljing.

Before he boarded the flight, Obasanjo who was sober, responded to reporters’ questions on the death of the former president, saying: "This is serious business. Can’t you see that we are mourning? This is not the time for questions."

The chairman, National Bureau of Statistics, Ambassador Greg Nbadiwe, Senator Inke Omilani, Chief Tunde Osarinde and Mrs Funke Obasanjo.

Obasanjo described late Yar’Adua as "a man of peace" whose legacies should be kept alive for the country to move forward.

He called for sustained prayers for the soul of the deceased said that, he and other Nigerian leaders were challenged by his death to ensure Nigeria’s stability.

Among the prominent personalities that visited the state yesterday are Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Professor Maurice Iwu, Nigerian Envoy to Britain Dr Dalhatu Sarki Tafida and his former United States counterpart, Professor Jibril Aminu as well as NLC President Abdul Wahid Omar among others.

They were received at the family house by the Emir of Daura, Katsina House of Assembly Speaker, Ya’u Umar Gwajo Gwajo, Alhaji Sani Zangon Daura, Alhaji Dahiru Barau Mangal and members of the Yar’Adua family.