The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Thursday expressed grief over the death of one of its “founding fathers” and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and former Minister of Finance, Mallam Adamu Ciroma.
PDP said the death of Ciroma was a great loss to Nigeria.
A statement by PDP’s spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, said, “Indeed, Nigeria has lost one of her finest; an incontrovertible patriot who spent his life making inestimable sacrifices for the unity and development of our dear country.
“Mallam Ciroma lived as a committed citizen; an astute administrator and highly disciplined politician, who discharged all responsibilities vested in him with unequaled forthrightness and loyalty to the nation.
“As CBN governor, minister of finance, minister of agriculture and the minister of industry, positions he held at various times, Mallam Ciroma played very vital roles in the formulation and implementation of crucial policies and programmes for economic stability and growth.
“On the political sphere, this great Nigerian will be remembered for his roles in ensuring the stability and growth of our nation, and particularly, the roles he played in the formation and growth of the PDP. He played a leading role in Group of 34 eminent Nigerians, otherwise called the G34, that formed the PDP.
“He was an embodiment of the ideals and visions of our great party in our pursuit of a prosperous nation where unity, equality and justice prevail.”
The PDP said it was greatly “saddened that he left the stage at this trying time in the history of our nation, when his guidance is needed the most.”
PDP commiserated with the “Ciroma family as well as the government and people of Yobe state, even as we pray that the Almighty God grants his soul eternal repose and fortitude to the family and the nation at large, to bear this huge loss.”
Also, former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has described the late Ciroma as a statesman who gave his best to Nigeria.
Obasanjo said this in a condolence letter addressed to the wife of the deceased.
He described the deceased as a distinguished public servant and one that was greatly admired by the general public and his peers as a straightforward and complete gentleman.
According to Obasanjo, “While words are hardly enough to express our sympathy at this time, you can definitely take justifiable pride in the fact that your late husband was a statesman who gave of his best to his fatherland. He will be sorely missed by all of us.
“Among other things, he will also be remembered as a distinguished public servant and one that was greatly admired by the general public and his peers as a straight-forward and complete gentleman.
“This, no doubt, is a moment of great grief for you and the entire family, but it is also clear that the deep sense of loss over the demise of your beloved husband is shared by many like me.
“He made outstanding contribution to the progress of the nation in many capacities. He, no doubt, left behind a worthy legacy especially through his working careers as the District Officer, in Mambilla when Mambilla Plateau was almost inaccessible.
“He worked in the Premier’s office and later as the first Editor of the New Nigerian Newspaper from where he became the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria between 1975 and 1977.
“In all of these, he acquitted himself so diligently.
“Mallam Ciroma deserves all the tributes being paid to him by all his compatriots. Indeed, having had the privilege of close association with your late husband who was a friend and confidant for many years and my Minister of Finance during my administration as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria between 1999 and 2003.
” I can attest unreservedly to his being a democrat to the core and a committed patriot who worked tirelessly for the unity of the nation.”
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