Yahaya Bello Mourns Passing of Buhari and Awujale of Ijebuland
Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has expressed profound sorrow over the recent deaths of two prominent Nigerian figures: former President Muhammadu Buhari and the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.
In separate statements released by Ohiare Michael, the Director of his media office, Bello described their passing as a significant loss to the nation.
In his tribute to Buhari, Bello called former President an “indisputably upright leader” and a personal mentor. He described the former president, who passed away at 82, as a “father, a guide, and a mentor whose leadership shaped my own philosophy of governance.”
Bello highlighted Buhari’s life as one marked by simplicity, honor, and a profound sense of duty. He noted that the former president’s transformative legacies as both a military Head of State and a democratically elected leader will resonate through generations.
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“Nigeria has lost a rare gem and a leader who embodied selflessness, discipline and unmatched patriotism,” Bello said, extending his condolences to the Buhari family, the government and people of Katsina State, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He urged all Nigerians to honor Buhari’s memory by embracing lives of purpose and integrity.
In his tribute to the Yoruba traditional ruler, Bello mourned the passing of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, who joined his ancestors at the age of 91.
He described the late monarch as a revered leader whose 65-year reign brought significant progress to Ijebu Ode and the entire Ijebuland. Bello noted that the Awujale’s long reign, which began in 1960, the same year as Nigeria’s independence, provided a unique lens into the nation’s history. He hailed the monarch as an “internationally respected” figure and a “symbol of unity, cultural preservation and advancement.”
Calling the sad event a “celebration of a life well-lived,” Bello extended his condolences to the royal family and the people of Ogun State. He also prayed for divine guidance for the Ijebu Kingdom during the succession period.
By PRNigeria
