President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, paid tribute to pioneer civil servant, and great patriot, Alhaji Ahmed Joda, who died in his hometown, Yola, Adamawa State at the age of 91.
Former president Olusegun Obasanjo and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, also mourned the late statesman, describing him as a great administrator and detribalised Nigerian.
The late Joda was the last surviving member of Governor Hassan Usman’s Northern Nigeria cabinet. President Buhari highlighted Joda’s “monumental contributions to Nigeria’s unity and progress,” from birth of the nation until his death.
President Buhari called Joda “a hero for all Nigerians” who, even in death, “will continue to inspire every generation to move forward with love, brotherhood and harmony. Buhari prayed to Allah to accept Joda’s good deeds and grant fortitude to those he left behind in his family, Adamawa Emirate Council and entire people of the state to bear the loss.
Obasanjo, while reacting to death, described the deceased as not just a Nigerian, but also a true and great Nigerian, who was committed to the unity, development and progress of the country.