Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo has said that late Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa left behind a worthy legacy of selfless service and patriotism.
The Vice President stated this on Saturday, in Kaduna at the one year memorial of the late Governor, who died on December 15, 2012. The memorial held at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Multi-Purpose Hall, Murtala Mohammed Square, Kaduna.
Sambo describing the late governor as a brother, friend, colleague and confident, also said that he would forever be remembered for the exemplary life he led.
He said “a man of peace, Yakowa has made peace unity and purposefulness the cardinal objectives of his life. He would be best remembered for his accommodating posture, his benevolence, love of peace, tolerance, sense of unity and purposefulness as well as humility, which earned him the title “Yakowa na kowa da kowa” meaning “a man of the people.”
Sambo said the event was significant as Sir Yakowa holds an enviable position in the annals of history, imploring the younger generation to be inspired by his dedication to duty and selflessness.
Vice President Sambo used the opportunity to preach for peace and unity, stressing that without peace there would be no meaningful development.
Speaking further he intimated the gathering on some of the developmental strides of the Federal Government in Kaduna State, which included the Kaduna-Abuja fast train project, Which had reached 70 per cent completion; the soon to be completed Gurara Dam and the Kaduna Power Plant project at the Kudenda Industrial Area among several other projects.
Vice President Sambo reiterated the commitment of the President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan administration to fulfilling its social contract with Nigerians, saying “I therefore make this clarion call for all hands to be on deck in our quest to transforming Nigeria. It is only then that the labour of our heroes past shall never be in vain.”
In his remarks the Kaduna State Governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, stated that he would build on the legacies of late Governor Yakowa, calling on the people of the State to honour him by living in peace and unity.
Goodwill messages which captured the exemplary life of Late Yakowa came from the governors of Bauchi and Ebonyi States, the National Chairman of the PDP, Bamanga Tukur, Senator Esther Nenadi Usman, and the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Dr. Shehu Idris as well as the Chairman of Jama’tul Nasirul Islam and the Christian Association of Nigeria, Kaduna State Chapter.
Highlights of the event were lectures delivered by Dr. Abdullahi Aliyu Damau, on Challenges of responsibilities for leadership in Nigeria: The legacies of late Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa towards the attainment of unified, peaceful and efficient leadership in Kaduna State, 2003 to 2012; and that of Prof. Yusuf Turaki, Achieving peace and unity in a Multi-ethnic and Multi-religious environment. There was also a special musical rendition titled Someone to remember me.
The Keynote address was delivered by Prof. James Kantiyok, while the Tribute and vote of thanks were presented by the children of the late Governor.
The theme of the memorial was Leadership and sustainable development: The legacy of a patriot on peace and selfless service.
The widow of the late governor Mrs. Amina Yakowa was at the event among several other dignitaries.
