Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, has described his former boss, the late Head of State, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who died on the 5th of May, 2010 after an illness, as a selfless leader, stating that “Yar’Adua’s type is hard to find” in the country.
Jonathan made the remark today, 5th May 2022, in a tribute on his facebook wall, titled, ‘President Yar’Adua: 12 years after’, to mark the 12th year rememberance of former President Yar’Adua.
He wrote: “Twelve years ago, our nation lost a patriot, a selfless leader and a peacemaker who governed with sincerity and passion for the people. President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua is no longer with us today, but his strides in public life continue to testify for him and keep his memory alive.
“Like a good athlete, he ran with passion, kept the faith and finished the race. Today we can look back and say, as President he won laurels for us in terms of peace and other worthy causes he successfully pursued.
“He was a soldier of truth, committed to justice, equity and other democratic virtues. He was a servant leader and a good man; the type that is hard to find.
“He was my boss.
“President Yar’Adua, we remember you today and will continue to remember the good works that you did in our nation. Yours is a story of patriotism, a life well-lived in service to the people and humanity.”
Yar’Adua was the President of Nigeria from 2007 to 2010. He emerged as President after President Olusegun Obasanjo had completed his two tenures of four years each.
After Yar’Adua’s death, his deputy, Goodluck Jonathan, mounted the saddle to complete his four years after which he did another one term.
Although Jonathan ran for a second term, he lost to incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari.
Story: Ene Ken-Yawe