Mallam Nuhu Ribadu @ 65: A Brother, A Beacon, A Blessing To Nigeria, By Gov Uba Sani
At 65, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu remains one of the few Nigerians whose life story still stirs something deep within the soul. For me, this milestone is far more than a public celebration of a national figure; it is the birthday of a brother whose guidance has steadied me, a friend whose sincerity has lifted me, and an ally whose loyalty has strengthened my leadership in moments of profound uncertainty.
I have encountered many public servants in the course of my journey, but rarely have I met a man who embodies duty the way Mallam Nuhu Ribadu does. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently hailed him as a “principled reformer” and a “steadfast defender of Nigeria.” I echo these words not as mere praise, but as lived truth. Ribadu’s life is a testament to incorruptible service: from his historic tenure as the pioneer EFCC Chairman, where he confronted corruption with unmatched resolve, to his present role as National Security Adviser, where he works tirelessly to safeguard our nation with courage, discipline, and strategic depth.
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But beyond titles and institutions, it is his humanity that leaves the strongest imprint on my heart. Mallam Ribadu is astonishingly self-effacing. He is a man who avoids fanfare, who enters rooms quietly through the backdoor, who prefers simplicity to grandeur, who seeks no applause even when his contributions are monumental. He is happiest not at the centre of attention, but in service; working, planning, securing, reforming.
His support to Kaduna State has been nothing short of brotherly. In our fierce battle to rescue our communities from insecurity, his door has never been closed; not once. He has stood with us with firmness, wisdom, and a sincerity that cannot be feigned. When the weight of leadership presses heavily, his counsel offers clarity; when the security situation becomes tense, his intervention brings calm; when hope seems threatened, his reassurance restores it.
I have also seen in him a rare loyalty to his friends, to institutions, and above all to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Mallam Ribadu embodies the purity of commitment: no double-speak, no half-measures, no wavering. His devotion to the Renewed Hope Agenda is anchored in shared conviction and genuine patriotism.
As he turns 65 years old today, I celebrate not just the public figure, but the man: courageous, humble, disciplined, fiercely loyal, and profoundly patriotic. A man whose friendship I treasure, whose character I admire, and whose example strengthens my resolve to serve Kaduna State with honesty and courage.
May Almighty Allah bless my brother, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, with long life, strength, and endless grace. Nigeria still needs him. I still need him. And history will forever honour him.
Senator Uba Sani, CON
Governor of Kaduna State
