Tinubu, Buhari, others extol virtues asYar’Adua matriarch is buried in Katsina

President Bola Tinubu, former President Muhammadu Buhari, and other prominent Nigerians have extolled the virtues of Hajiya Dada, the mother of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

The late Dada was laid to rest in Katsina State yesterday in accordance with Islamic rites. She was buried at the Danmarna graveyard after prayers were said for the repose of her soul at the township stadium close to the Yar’Adua family house at about 1:30 p.m.

Born on January 31, 1922, Hajiya Dada died on Monday evening at 102. Imam Aminu Yammawa led the prayers before her remains were carried to the graveyard for burial.

Several dignitaries attended the prayer session, including Vice President KashimShettima, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Emir of Daura and his Katsina counterpart, Alhaji Farouk Umar and Alhaji Abdulmumuni Usman.

Others in attendance were the former Senate President, Ahmed Lawal, Governor Dikko Radda, his deputy, Lawal Farouk, and business mogul Dahiru Mangal. President Bola Tinubu expressed the nation’s profound grief.

Tinubu spoke through Vice President KashimShettima, who led the federal government’s delegation to the burial of the late matriarch. The President said, “The loss is not just for the immediate family or Katsina State alone, but it is for the entire nation and all of us.”

He said, “May Allah grant her soul eternal rest and reward her with Aljannah Firdaus. May Allah give the government, the family and the people of Katsina State the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

Buhari extended his heartfelt condolences to the Yar’Adua family, the government, and the people of Katsina State following Dada Yar’Adua’s passing. He said the late Dada was the mother of his close friend and classmate, the late General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua.

In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Buhari expressed deep sorrow over the loss. Reflecting on the life of the Yar’Adua matriarch, Buhari said, “The news of Dada’s passing is extremely sad. She was a mother who cared for her family as she did us, her children’s friends.”

He added, ‘Her virtuous life inspired us and all who came close to her; her righteousness and high life values gave the country a set of successful and patriotic leaders.”

The Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, led a delegation of senators to Katsina State for the funeral. The delegation included Senator Abdulhamid Malam-Madori, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs; Senator Muntari Dandutse, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education, TetFund; and Senator Aminu Iya Abbas, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology.

Barau offered prayers for Dada, asking Allah to forgive her shortcomings and grant her admission to Jannatul Firdausi. He also expressed condolences to Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua and the rest of the family, urging them to find solace in her righteous life.

“Hajiya Dada was a devout Muslim who dedicated her life to the service of Allah and humanity,” he said.

Similarly, the Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, expressed his condolences to the family, the government and the people of Katsina State.
In a statement, the governor said: “It is with mixed feelings that I send my condolences to the Yar’Adua family and the entire people of Katsina State over the demise of Hajia Dada Yar’Adua, a woman of history who birthed great Nigerians who defended the nation and worked for her greatness, including the late former President Umar Musa Yar’Adua. She is a goddess that will be irreplaceable.

“The late Hajia Dada Yar’Adua was an industrious woman, a reservoir of knowledge and wisdom, a disciplinarian who moulded great Nigerians. Her demise has reminded us of the greatness she embodied, the principles she held dear and her life of love, tolerance and unmatched affection for all that came her way.”

Governor Radda, who was at the Yar’Adua family house on a condolence visit, praised the late matriarch for her exemplary life and invaluable contributions to the community.

Radda urged the family to take solace in Hajiya Dada’s remarkable legacy and to continue her good works in service to humanity. During her lifetime, she hosted almost all state presidential and governorship candidates who wanted her blessings for their political aspirations.

Some of those who visited her during the height of electioneering campaigns included former presidents Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari, and Atiku Abubakar.

Several people who knew her described her as easy-going and accommodating, a woman who didn’t discriminate against anyone, irrespective of tribe, religion, or gender.

Shortly after her death, her son, Senator Yar’Adua, also known as Audu Soja, said, ‘Our mother was a shining example of kindness, compassion, and piety.