Leaders, including former military head of state, Ibrahim Babangida and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) have expressed shock over the death of the former Nigerian minister of Finance and Governor of CBN, today, Thursday. He died in a hospital in Abuja at the of 84.
In a condolence message, Babangida the death of Ciroma as a great loss of a man that was passionate about the unity and development of Nigeria.
He said that although death is inevitable and “one day we shall all return to our creator. Indeed, Malam Adamu Ciroma was a rare gem that has versatility and a pillar of national development who had made positive contributions in various sectors of our national life.
“I must express my sadness over the death of the elder statesman at this critical moment of our national renaissance and cohesion, when Malam Adamu would have played a prominent roles towards proferring solutions to the myriads of our national problems.
“On behalf of myself and my family, I extend our condolence to his entire family, the Fika emirate and to the Government and people of Yobe State on this great loss of pillar of unity.”
Also, the Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello described late Alhaji Adamu Ciroma as a great Nigerian who believe and worked for the unity of the country.
The Governor said that the elder-statesman had contributed significantly to national development and history would remember him as a man who stood for the unity and oneness of the nation.
He commended the hard work, commitment and dedication of the elder-statesman to the development of the nation during his lifetime.
“I wish to state that the late Alhaji Adamu Ciroma lived an exemplary life and was a national pillar while he was alive, he was always ready to serve his fatherland with all his capabilities.
“I urge the Family of Late Adamu Ciroma to take Solace in the fact that he lived a good life, he was an inspiration to many in the country and beyond.
“On behalf of Government and people of Niger State, we extend our sympathy to his family .”.
Governor Sani-Bello who said that the elder statesman’s wise will be missed said Nigerians should emulate his virtues.
The CBN, in its condolence message, recalled the good work late Ciroma did when he was its Governor from September 24, 1975 to June 28 1977.
Ciroma was born on November 20 1934 in Potiskum, Yobe State. He was a graduate of University of Ibadan and served in different capacities in the Public Service.
He was appointed to the Board of the Central Bank of Nigeria in 1970 where he served as a Director before his appointment as the Governor in 1975. He also served as Minister in the Ministries of Industry, Agriculture and Finance and on the Board of several companies.
Until his demise, Ciroma was still of immense service to the Bank. He was a firm believer in the sanctity and independence of the CBN.
The CBN said that Ciroma was an astute central banker and a patriot, even as it celebrates his remarkable life and contribution to the banking industry in Nigeria.
In his condolence, former Nigerian Vice President, Atiku Abubakar said that his world view was largely influenced by the early contacts and mentorship that he received from Malam Adamu Ciroma, who passed on in Abuja today, Thursday.
“A lot of what I have turned out to be in life today was as a result of the early contacts and mentorship that I had with Adamu Ciroma, who graciously offered me vacation job in my formative years.”
According to him, Ciroma’s honesty and patriotism were among his greatest virtues, adding that the deceased had left behind untainted public service record for which he would always be remembered.
Atiku recalled that distinguished public figures like Ciroma joined politics primarily motivated by the passion to serve rather than self-aggrandizement.
He said Ciroma’s honesty had earned him respect by successive governments in Nigeria and that this reputation would follow him beyond the grave.
He said that the late Ciroma was a patriotic politician who believed in unity and a just democratic order, adding that even Ciroma’s worst enemy could not argue against his patriotism and selflessness, adding that Nigeria was in desperate need of such dedicated men like Ciroma in order to achieve progress.
Atiku said that he last visit to Ciroma at his sick bed in Abuja on Tuesday, saying: “little did (he) know that that was going to be the last time (he) will see the man that (he) had looked up to as a mentor for several decades.”
He is survived by his wife and children and has since been buried according to Islamic rites in Abuja.
His funeral was attended by among others, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Governor Ibrahim Geidam of Yobe state and chief of staff to the president, Abba Kyari. [myad]
