KATSINA – Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has joined other prominent Nigerians in paying tribute to late Hajiya Dada Yar’Adua who died last Monday.
The former President who was at the Yar’Adua family residence in Katsina, extolled the virtues of the deceased whom he described as a virtuous woman.
“By adoption, Mama was my mother, and because of my close relationship with her children I also became a child of Mama, and anything that the children were doing I was part and parcel of it.
“But one important thing that would remain evergreen in my memory was when Mama visited me all the way from Katsina to Abeokuta to thank me when my own brother, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, became President of Nigeria, I would not forget that.
“I want to also thank the Governor because he always kept me informed on her condition, the kind of care she got from her children, grandchildren and the Governor was what elongated her life to age 102”, Chief Obasanjo said.
Similarly former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who was also on a condolence visit to the Yar’Adua family residence, described the deceased as a mother who had served the nation through her children.
“Hajiya Dada was not just an indigene of Katsina State, she belongs to all of us, and that is why you see a steady influx of Nigerians from all walks of life coming to condole with the family”.
“For many of us who knew her and met her during her lifetime, we recognize that here is a woman who embodied the spirit of service, quiet, dignity and grace in everything that she did”.
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“For me, I am personally touched by her passing, I have met her, I have spoken with her, she is someone who carried with her the spirit of service”.
“Her husband was a Minister, her son was President, another a Vice President, and one is a serving Senator”, he said.
Osinbajo noted that Dada “was someone who stayed in the shadows, encouraging and supporting her husband and her children to serve this nation”.
On his part, Katsina State Governor, Dr. Dikko Radda, who received the guests on their separate condolence visits, expressed appreciation to them on behalf of the immediate family of the deceased as well as the government and people of the state.
“She lived a very good life, not only for herself but for all of us, we are also her children, she taught us good morals”.
“She was a woman of few words but she always spoke with wisdom, we learned a lot from her and she has influenced us in very positive ways”.
“Hajiya Dada was also a very patient and persevering woman, she lost her husband and she buried five of her children while they were still in their prime, yet she took all these in good faith.
“Therefore we thank Almighty Allah for her long and fruitful life and we pray that He admits her and all of us into Paradise”, the Governor said.
Earlier, the Governor had accompanied his counterpart from Borno State, Babagana Zulum, to the Yar’Adua family residence where the former prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest.
