Buhari, Saraki, Tinubu others mourn as Adamu Ciroma dies at 84

President Muhammadu Buhari has said he received with sadness, the news of the death of former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Adamu Ciroma, at the age of 84.

Buhari said he extended sincere condolences on behalf of himself, the Federal Government and all Nigerians, to the Ciroma family, the government and people of Yobe State on the passing of the elder statesman.

Buhari said that he believed that Ciroma as a political leader and Federal cabinet Minister for Industries, Agriculture and Finance, at various points in his remarkable life, would be long remembered for his remarkable service and dedication to the country’s unity, progress and stability.

The President prayed that Almighty Allah would grant Mallam Ciroma eternal rest and comfort the elder statesman’s family, relatives, friends and associates.

Similarly, former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has described the death of the deceased who held the traditional title of Madakin Fika, in Yobe State, as a great loss of a man that was passionate about the unity and development of Nigeria.

General Babangida said: “Although death is inevitable and one day we shall all return to our creator. Indeed, Malam Adamu Ciroma was a rare gem that had versatility and a pillar of national decelopment who had made positive contributions in various sectors of our national life. ”

“On behalf of myself and my family, I extend our condolence to his entire family, the Fika emirate and to the Government and people of Yobe State on this great loss of pillar of unity.”

Also, President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has described the death as monumental loss to the country.

Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu in Abuja, said with the death of Ciroma, Nigeria has lost one of its illustrious sons and highly respected elder statesman, with vast experience in many spheres of life.

“Although death is painful, but it gladdens my heart that late Ciroma lived a worthy and successful life. As a public servant, late Ciroma’s integrity was unparalleled, as a politician, he was unblemished and as a journalist, he was among the finest breed,” Saraki said.

He added: “Indeed there is no word or adjective that will be enough to describe late Ciroma, considering his invaluable contributions to the development of the country.

“We have lost a detribalised Nigerian, bridge builder and a strong pillar for nation’s unity. He will surely be remembered for his forthrightness and integrity. We shall miss him greatly.”

The President of the Senate commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased and the Government and people of Yobe State over the loss.

While calling on the Federal Government to immortalise the late Ciroma by naming a strategic national monument after him, Saraki prayed to Allah to grant the soul of the elder statesman a place among the righteous ones in Aljannah Firdaus,

Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, in his condolence, recalled that his world view was largely influenced by the early contacts and mentorship that he received from Malam Adamu Ciroma.

“A lot of what I have turned out to be in life today was as a result of the early contacts and mentorship that I had with Adamu Ciroma, who graciously offered me vacation job in my formative years.”

In a statement by his media office in Abuja, the former Vice President said that the death of Ciroma has robbed Nigeria of one of its finest statesmen who gave their best to their country.

Atiku recalled that distinguished public figures like Ciroma joined politics primarily motivated by the passion to serve rather than self-aggrandizement.

He said Ciroma’s honesty had earned him respect by successive governments in Nigeria and that this reputation would follow him beyond the grave.

For his part, Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, said late Ciroma, a former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was one of the nation’s “shining stars and frontline statesmen’’ who demonstrated passion for the unity, progress and development of Nigeria.

He said in a statement that the late statesman was an “icon of transparency and an epitome of integrity who lived an incorruptible life’’.

“Indeed we lost a great man, a patriot, leader par excellence and a shining star.

“Malam Adamu Ciroma was one of the few surviving close associates of the late Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello.

“He remained a consistent advocate for the struggle to see Nigeria achieve the dreams of her founding fathers,” he said.

Dogara said that Ciroma was an intellectual genius and highly cosmopolitan public servant who exhibited high sense of patriotism, passion and enthusiasm for the progress and development of the country.

He recalled that while as first indigenous Editor and Managing Director of New Nigerian Newspaper, CBN Governor and Minister in different administrations, Ciroma distinguished himself as an epitome of integrity.

In a reaction, the Governor and Management of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has expressed a deep shock on the passage of Mallam Adamu Ciroma, who died on July 5, 2018.

He was the Governor of the Bank from September 24, 1975 to June 28 1977.

CBN, in a statement on Thursday signed by the acting Director of Communcations, Isaac Okorafor, said until Mallam Ciroma’s demise, he was still of immense service to the Bank.

“He was a firm believer in the sanctity and independence of the CBN,” the apex bank stated.

“Mallam Ciroma was born on November 20 1934 in Potiskum, Yobe State. He was a graduate of University of Ibadan and served in different capacities in the Public Service.

“He was appointed to the Board of the Central Bank of Nigeria in 1970 where he served as a Director before his appointment as the Governor in 1975. He also served as Minister in the Ministries of Industry, Agriculture and Finance and on the Board of several companies.

“While we mourn the loss of a very good man, an astute central banker and a patriot, we also celebrate his remarkable life and contribution to the banking industry in Nigeria.

“He is survived by his wife and children and has since been buried according to Islamic rites.

“We pray Almighty Allah to grant his family and the nation the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, the CBN stated.