FORMER President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan today expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Hajiya Dada Yar’Adua, the mother of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, calling it a personal loss.
He acknowledged that the late Dada played a pivotal role in his journey, noting that she was instrumental in shaping his path.
Jonathan made these remarks during a condolence visit to the Yar’adua family in Katsina, following the death of their matriarch.
In an interview with reporters, he mentioned that he was en route to Kigali, Rwanda, when he received the news, and upon returning to Nigeria yesterday he felt it was important to visit Katsina and offer his condolences.
“This woman played a significant role in shaping who I am. Her passing is deeply touching for me. It was her son who selected me as his running mate, and without her, you wouldn’t have known my name. She was like a mother to me, and her death feels like the loss of my own mother,” Jonathan shared.
Reflecting further, he added, “It is a sorrowful time for all of us. I had traveled on Monday to Kigali, and upon arriving in Addis Ababa, our head of mission informed me of the sad news. On behalf of myself, my team, my community, and my state, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Yar’Adua family and the people of Katsina State. She was a mother we all lost, but Allah blessed her with a long life, a testament to His favor. She was a good and blessed woman who raised children that greatly contributed to our nation’s progress.”
The late Dada, also the mother of late Shehu Musa Yar’adua and Senator Abdul Aziz Musa Yar’adua, passed away on the evening of Monday, September 2, 2024, after a brief illness at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina, at the age of 102.
She was laid to rest on Tuesday, September 3, 2024, at the Danmarna Cemetery, where her husband, Musa Yar’adua, and her two sons, Shehu Musa Yar’adua and Umaru Musa Yar’adua, are also buried. The funeral prayer, led by Imam Aminu Yammawa, was held at 1:30 pm in line with Islamic rites, as arranged by the family.
Several dignitaries, including Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and Senator Abdul Ningi of Bauchi Central, were present at the burial, alongside other prominent officials, politicians, academics, and business figures.
