Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, has condoled the family, friends, associates and the government of Kano State, over the death of orator, elder-statesman, distinguished diplomat, Danmasinin Kano and one of Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Federal Minister in the first republic, Dr. Maitama Sule.
The Acting President said late Sule is best remembered on the global scene, as one of our country’s foremost envoys whose clarity of voice and vision contributed significantly to the high esteem and respect Nigeria earned at the United Nations.
He observed that Alhaji Sule, a great Nigerian leader and committed nationalist, positioned himself as an agent of unity.
Like Osinbajo, a shocked Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, said that with his death, Nigeria has lost a great nationalist.
Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, described the late Sule as a detribalized Nigerian who spoke truth to power at all times during his lifetime.
As a mark of respect for the late Dan Masanin Kano, Saraki urged Nigerians to toe the path of dialogue in addressing their grievances and eschew ethnic tensions as embodied by the late former minister, saying that, “this is the highest respect we will pay to his legacies”.
Saraki said: “The news of the demise of Alhaji Maitama Sule, came to me with shock. This is one man that has become a permanent feature in the politics of the country, beginning from first republic when he was appointed a minister at his youthful age.
“Through sheer oratory, the name Maitama Sule had become synonymous with wit and wisdom. He never minced words when speaking against ills in society and how to curb them.
“He would remain an inspiration to both present and forthcoming generations on the lessons of tolerance, unity, and peaceful coexistence. He left at a time his wise counsel is in dire need to navigate our way out of current challenges confronting the country. I pray the Almighty Allah to grant his soul aljannah firdaus and his family the fortitude to bear the loss,” he said.
Hon Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of the House of Representatives, his loss as a monumental loss to the African continents.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs, Turaki Hassan, said the Danmasani was a colossus, patriot, father to all, and a distinguished elderstatesman who wrote his name in gold in the annals of Nigeria’s history.
“From struggle for independence, to his stewardship as a Federal MP, Federal Commissioner of public complaints, to his service as Nigeria’s permanent Representative to the United Nations, Alhaji Maitama Sule’ s record of public service was excellent, exemplary and worthy of emulation.”
“Even in old age, and faced with health challenges, the late elderstatesman never relented in building bridges of friendship, peace and preaching love amongst Nigerians.”
“Undoubtedly, he was an icon of peace, transparency, a born orator, patriot and a distinguish statesman who gave his all for the unity and prosperity of Nigeria as one indivisible nation.”
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, expressed deep grief over Sule’s passing.
He said: “This is the exit of a patriot, true statesman, role modl, social crusader, diplomat of an uncommon pedigree, and an orator, who served the nation and humanity in many capacities.
“Although he was popularly known as Dan Masanin Kano, some of us preferred to call him Dan Masanin Nigeria, for he had a rare national appeal and loomed larger than life itself even in his humility. A man of unimpeachable integrity and agent of national rebirth, Dan Masanin was, true to his title, a man of the people, mouthpiece of the poor, master of words, peacemaker, and diplomat per excellence.”
