A Former Minister of Transportation during the Second Republic, Umaru Dikko, is dead.
He died in the early hours of yesterday in a London Hospital at the age of 78.
Dikko, until his death, was the chairman of the Disciplinary Committee of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.
He, however, did not function well in the position as a result of his ill health.
Because of this, his deputy, who was also a former Minister of Transportation, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, had been the one briefing journalists anytime the committee sat and decided on any issue.
However, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said he received with sadness, news of the death of a prominent politician and elder statesman, Alhaji Umaru Dikko.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President extended commiserations to the family, friends and political associates of the former Minister of Transport during the Second Republic who he said also played a leading role in the National Party of Nigeria which controlled the Federal Government in that dispensation.
Jonathan said he joined them in mourning the renowned political leader who, in spite of advanced age, continued to actively contribute to the nurturing and strengthening of democracy in Nigeria until the end of his life.
The statement read in part: ”President Jonathan firmly believes that Alhaji Umaru Dikko’s significant contributions, especially his life-long advocacy for stronger political parties, greater discipline within political parties and the supremacy of political parties have assured him of a place in the annals of Nigeria’s political development.
“He prays that God Almighty will receive Alhaji Umaru Dikko’s soul and grant him eternal rest.”
Meanwhile, the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) has described the death of Umaru Diko as a further depletion in the ranks of Northern state leaders.
The forum added that it is time for sober reflection and a time for the region and the nation to remain committed to building leadership inspired by service.
The Chairman of the forum and governor of Niger State, Dr Babangida Aliyu who spoke on behalf of the forum in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Israel Ebije, said the growing number of prominent Nigerians dying only suggests that the younger generation must step into the shoes of departed leaders.
Aliyu said the nation will sorely miss the late Diko especially in the direction of his wealth of experience as a politician which would have been a veritable resource for national discuss now that the country is passing through difficult times.
“This is indeed another sad episode to the already challenging times Nigeria is passing through as a country. The death of Umaru Diko and a few prominent Nigerians in less than two months is a reminder that the present generation of Nigerians must grow up mentally, morally with collective objective towards a common developmental destination within the confines of appropriate leadership tenets.
“The demise of our leaders, should remind us that the place of the youths is now, not tomorrow. The youths of today must therefore show signs of leadership by eschewing violence, steering clear of sentiments and avoid ethno-religious balkanization of the country so that we can grow Nigeria to attain its position in the committee of nations.”
The chairman of the forum, therefore, called on Nigerians to immortalize past leaders by ensuring that the continuous existence of the country is not compromised and the developmental aspiration cardinal adding that that’s all Nigerians owe the dead as the country journey through its turbulent route towards a better and greater nation.
He urged Nigerians to always work within the principles and practice of good service, good moral, and patriotism adding that at the end, people will be remembered based on how they lived.
The forum chairman, therefore, prayed that Allah (SWT) grants the late Umaru Diko Aljannah Firdausi. He also prayed Allah grants his family and the nation the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.