Maitama Sule: Northern in origin, national in outlook

At a time Nigeria is going through difficult times in its continued search for unity and cohesion, with drums of war and voices of division echoing from one end to the other, prominent personalities in the country say the passing away Maitama Sule was a huge blow as the renowned statesman, whom they described as a man of peace, bowed out when his services were needed most.

Yusuf Maitama Sule, a former chief whip of the Federal House of Representatives, a former Minister of Mines, a former Minister of National Guidance, a presidential aspirant of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in 1979, and Nigeria’s former permanent representative to the United Nations, died on July 3, 2017, in a Cairo hospital, Egypt, following pneumonia and a chest infection and has since been buried according to Islamic rites.
The moment his death was announced, tributes continued to pour in from across the country, with many describing him as a distinct and uncommon Northern Nigerian with immense national outlook.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo could not but observe a minute’s silence in honour of late Sule. Osinbajo went on to describe him as “a father of the nation” and “one of the great contributors to the growth and stability of the country”.
“He will be sadly missed by all of us who regarded him as a mentor and as a father of the nation and one of the great contributors to the growth and stability of the nation,” Osinbajo said.
“Yes, he was buried yesterday (last Tuesday). I am sure many of us followed at the proceedings. The Federal Government was represented by delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, and several members of the Federal Executive Council,” he said.
Senate President Bukola Saraki said Sule was a detribalised Nigerian who spoke the truth at all times during his lifetime, and that he would remain an inspiration to present and forthcoming generations on the lessons of tolerance, unity and peaceful co-existence.
His counterpart in the House of Representatives, Speaker Yakubu Dogara, described Sule as “a colossus”, and “undoubtedly, 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”.
From the Southwest state of Ogun, Gbenga Daniel, a former governor, said Sule was “a notable diplomat, political strategist, proficient administrator and an outstanding statesman whose life was that of continuous service and commitment to the well-being of the people”.
Ayodele Fayose, Ekiti State governor, who is an avowed critic of President Muhammadu Buhari and his northern allies, said in faraway Ado Ekiti that Sule’s demise was a loss, not only to Nigeria but to the entire black race, and urged the government and entire people of Kano State as well as Sule’s family, friends and associates to be consoled by the fact he lived a fulfilled life.
His counterpart in Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, said, “Our country has lost a rare breed. Sule was a leading light from the old generation that has been extinguished.”
Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, said Sule played a crucial role in promoting and facilitating the country’s steady tackling of corruption, growth and development.
“On behalf of the government and the people of Edo State, and myself, I wish to convey our deepest sympathies and condolences to the government and people of Kano State and the entire nation on the demise of Alhaji Maitama Sule,” Obaseki said.
The southeast zone was not left out in the rain of tributes as Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State wrote in a consoling message to the government and people of Kano State that Sule was as a stabilizing influence in Nigeria.
“We will surely miss him at this time but we give God thanks for allowing us share same space with him for 87 years. On behalf of myself and the good people of Abia State, I pray that God will grant the bereaved family the fortitude to bear the loss,” Ikpeazu said.
Aisha Buhari, wife of the President, said Sule was “an epitome of humility, moderation, tolerance, patriotism and love”.
Opeyemi Bamidele, a member of the seventh House of Representatives, described Sule as a detribalised Nigerian who strongly believed in Nigeria’s unity and urged younger generation to emulate “this nationalist by embracing attitudinal change and put on the toga of patriotism the same way Maitama Sule did so that his contributions and sacrifices won’t be futile”.
In a condolence letter to Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State which was signed by Auba Wabba, its president, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) described Sule “as a worker, a politician, a diplomat and a national icon who opened his doors to all Nigerians irrespective of their creed”.
Born on October 1, 1929, at Ungwar Yola, present-day Kano municipal, Sule was enrolled in elementary school at Shahuci in January 1937 by Madaki of Kano, but before he was taken to Western education, he was already undergoing Qur’anic education at home. The Madaki of Kano at the time made Sule’s father his caretaker and put him in charge of feeding and caring for his horses. Sule was four years when his mother Hauwa, who was nicknamed ‘Yarkayi’, died.
According to the rules, one must make four years in elementary school, but because of Sule’s outstanding intelligence within two years of entrance, he was promoted to further school.
It was in that instance that Sule started facing challenges he never faced in his lifetime due to the death of Madaki Mahmudu, who took his personal responsibilities, in the year 1939.
In the year 1943, Sule entered Kaduna College, at the age of 13. When he finished from college in 1948, he got a teaching job at Middle School in Kano.
He was named Yusuf after the traditional title holder of Madaki of Kano. The Madaki used to refer to him as Abbana. He got the name Maitama because of the traditional title holder Galadima of Kano, Yusuf. Many crude weapons were used during Kano civil war of that time. Every child named after Yusuf was nicknamed Maitama in Kano kingdom.
Sule, who joined politics in 1954 when he was elected into the House of Representatives, served as the minister of mines. In the 1979 presidential election, he contested for the presidential ticket of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) but lost to Shehu Shagari, who became president. He then served under Shagari’s government as Nigeria’s permanent representative to the United Nations. He was chairman of the UN Special Committee against Apartheid during his stay as permanent representative.
After the re-election of President Shagari in 1983, Sule was made the minister for national guidance, a portfolio designed to assist the president in tackling corruption.
Sule was holder of traditional title Danmasanin kano, the chief custodian of history of Kano and Kano Hausas. He was celebrated all over Nigeria, Africa and the world at large and he was among Africa’s most respected statesmen. He died at the age of 87 and is survived by a wife and nine children.

 

NATHANIEL AKHIGBE