Twenty-One (21) Gun Salutes to late Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua!
Born 9th March 1943 and decorated as Maj. General of the Nigerian Army at the age of 33 years. He lived a tremendous 54 years only on earth (9th November 1943 – 8th December 1997).
He made significant impact on the lives of numerous persons. The one time Strong, Powerful and Dynamic man of many Strategies, late Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua has lived his life. He has set an unbroken record.
A fantastic and patient listener with absolute calmness and a man of very few words. He was a battle-tested General, a successful businessman and a mentor. A true and an honest bridge builder of his time. Today, we all walk on the fully constructed bridge freely.
He stood on the principles of hard work and perseverance. He was always a very simple-dressed personality. He was a master strategist, especially in the field of politics, as he was the great founder of People’s Front (PF) and also stood firm by his pressure group, the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM). He diplomatically took full control of Social Democratic Party (SDP) which metamorphosed into Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He agitated strongly on the principles of true federalism where he repeatedly insisted on no North, no South, no East and no West but one Nigeria only, at all cost.
He fought tirelessly the Civil War between 1967 – 1970, all in an effort to ensure the unity and sanctity of one Nation, Nigeria. He suffered gun shots. After retirement from the Military Service, he commenced the study of building Business Empire. Hamada Holdings, Nicotex, Intercontinental Fisheries, African Ocean Line, Habib Nigeria Bank, The Nation House Press, Sambo Farms, …. were among the businesses he personally ushered in and created job opportunities for numerous Nigerians.
As an astute politician, he was the greatest tactician who worked round the country and had two-third majority acceptability based on his strength and the caliber of personality in his camp. He was a force to be reckoned with and a great institution of learning.
Almighty Allah takes away life from whom He pleases at the destined time. Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua had immensely contributed his quota in his country and the world at large and had departed when the trumpets was loudest on his strong principles.
He sacrificed his life for democracy to prevail. Today, we have enjoyed four consecutive tenures and the present administration is running the fifth tenure from the birth of the third republic in 1999. That is: Olusegun Obasanjo, Late Umar Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan and Mohammad Buhari.
Tafida’s strong wordings on the People, Politics, Power, Oil,…… have manifested and proved beyond reasonable doubt within the 19 – 20 years of uninterrupted democracy of Nigeria. It is a painful fact that most of the agitations leading to insurgencies are as a result of political in-balance in our nation.
To those of us that are lucky to be alive today and are opportune to be students of the School of Thought of late Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, have really learned and understood the power-play in Nigeria politics. And from all indications, his words are alive and have repeatedly re-echoed in all ramifications of Nigeria at 58.
Tafida’s strong political associates who stood by his family have gradually phased away from the earth. Only recently, Chief Tony Aneneh of ancient memory highly appreciated the dynamic strategies of Tafida and stood by the family at the time of need. This is absolute loyalty.
We must endeavor to uphold his strong principles in believing on what we are doing without any fear or favor, as the end always justifies the means. What a life of service!
Even his perceived enemies that lived long to read his tributes admires, admonishes and appreciates his strong guts.
It is 21 years ago when Nigeria lost this rare gem. May the gentle soul of late Gen. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, GCON, Tafida Katsina rest forever in peace in Aljana Fidausi.
Morning Sir!
Adios General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua!
Mohammed G. Potiskum
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