By; Bala B. Bitrus, Minna.
Senate President Bukola Saraki and former Vice President Abubakar Atiku as well as former Governor of Adamawa state, Murtala Nyako have paid glowing tributes to late Abdulkadir Abdullahi Kure, erstwhile Governor of Niger state and described him as a bridge builder, a noble politician who mixed freely with the mighty and the low without qualms.
Speaking during their separate condolence visits to the family of the deceased Governor on Monday, Senate President Saraki paid a posthumous accolades to Kure saying the former Governor brought modesty into politics as a political actor who was well respected and admired for his courage, tenacity and candor in governance.
Senator Saraki said Kure’s strategies and approach to issues had at several times provided leeway to solving quagmires that were knotty debacles but for his foresights and forthrightness. For these and many other reasons, Kure will continue to be remembered for many years to come according to the Senate President.He recalled that Kure provided lots of support to his colleagues, fellow Governors during and even after his tenure in office. “This and many other things made him stood out not only as a nationalist but a patriotic Nigerian who built bridges of understanding across several divides”.Saraki who led a high powered delegation from the Senate on condolence to the family of the deceased, noted that the death of the former Governor was a huge loss to Nigeria.
In the delegation were the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu as well as the three senators representing Niger state at the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
While praying for the repose of the soul of the deceased former Governor, Saraki also prayed that Allah provides succor to the deceased’s family. He encouraged the family of the deceased to uphold the legacies and virtues of the deceased.
Ex Vice President Abubakar Atiku who also paid a condolence visit to the bereaved family of the former Governor, mourned the passage of Kure whom he described as a friend, brother and a compatriot”.
“He was one of the best Governors during his time. When he was in office, he served and cared for his people. Kure was one of the best the nation had during that regime” Atiku said.The former Vice President prayed for the eternal rest for Kure saying “may Allah grant him aljana firdausi. And to the bereaved family, Atiku prayed for God to grant those he left behind the fortitude to bear the loss.The eldest son of the deceased former Governor, Mr. Umar Kure had while receiving the condolence messages from the symphatisers, assured that the family would continue to forge together in pursuit of the legacies of their father.
He noted that though the passage of their father last Sunday was devastating, the family accepts it as the will of Allah.
He commended Nigerians from all works of life and from across the country for their show of love and concern in their trying period.
Meanwhile, the first Military Administrator of Niger state and former Executive Governor of Adamawa state, Rear Admiral Murtala Nyako, (Rtd) has condoled with the government and people of Niger state and the family of the deceased former Governor of the state, Engr. Abdulkadir A. Kure.
Nyako recalled that Kure was a rallying point for most people across the state and beyond. He prayed for the repose of his soul in his condolence to the family.
