Second Republic, without him being tainted with the remotest hint of scandal.
“As a person, I found him personable with unceasing good humour. Nothing personified his faith more than the fact that on losing his sight, he did not retreat in himself sulking on account of his ill-fortune.
“Quite to the contrary, he honoured virtually all invitations extended to him and spoke as usual with singular eloquence and unparalleled wit.
“In my discussions with him, I greatly valued his counsel, and I never ceased to be amazed by his concern for the well-being of his country rather than his personal interests.
“Let me extend my sincere condolences to Your Excellency, family and friends, the Government and people of Kano, and Nigerians as a whole, for this most heavy loss. We shall not soon see the like of him.
“May God forgive his sins and admit him to Paradise, Amin.’’
The deceased statesman, aged 87, who died in the early hours of Monday in a hospital in Cairo, Egypt, will be buried in Kano today at 4:00 pm.
Kano state government declared Tuesday as work-free day in honour of the late statesman.
