Immediate
past president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, and other Nigerians, on Thursday,
eulogised the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua 11 years after his demise.
The
late Yar’Adua died on May 5, 2010, after ruling Nigeria for three years.
Goodluck
Jonathan, Yar’Adua’s vice president at that time, later became the president of
the country.
Remembering
the late Yar’Adua, Jonathan described his former boss as a “peacemaker, nation
builder, and democrat”.
He
tweeted, “Today, I celebrate my boss, friend, colleague, and brother, President
Umaru Musa Yar’Adua who departed this world 11 years ago. As politicians, we
shared a common vision of a peaceful, united and just nation.
“President
Yar’Adua kept faith with this vision, channelling his strength and time in
pursuit of an egalitarian society, until his last breath.
“Although
out of our sight, his legacies live with us and his memory we will continue to
cherish.
“We
will always remember him as a peacemaker, nation builder, and democrat whose
timeline was defined by virtues of service, peace, truth and love.”
Other
key politicians were not left out in remembering the late president.
The
immediate past President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, regretted that he lost a
“great friend” and a “committed leader”.
Saraki,
who is also former Kwara State governor, said, “On this day 11 years ago,
Nigeria lost a selfless, patriotic, and committed leader — and I lost a great
friend.
“As
we remember President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua today, we celebrate his legacy of
integrity and pray that the mercy of Almighty Allah (God) continues to be upon
him. Amin.”
On
his part, Nigeria’s former vice-president, Abubakar Atiku, said, “Eleven years
in remembrance of our late President Umaru Yar’Adua—a patriot and compassionate
leader. May your memory continue to be a blessing.”
Other
Nigerians on Twitter also eulogised the past leader.
@firstladyship
tweeted, “Good name is better than gold. 11 years on and Nigerians still call
you the selfless, detribalised, and patriotic leader.
“It’s
deeds, not words. President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was “integrity and honesty,”
unlike those who claim they have integrity, & blame everyone else but
themselves.”
“Today,
I joined thousands of right-thinking Nigerians to celebrate the legacies of our
former President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who died exactly 11 years ago.
“He
was the true definition of integrity. May his peace-loving soul continue to
rest in perfect peace,” @barbatunedey added.
