Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, GCFR, has described the death of Malam Adamu Ciroma (Madakin Fika) at the age of 84 as a great loss of a man that was passionate about the unity and development of Nigeria.

General Babangida said in a statement by his Media Office: “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.”

The former Military President said: “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 role towards proffering 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.”

President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, described the death of Adamu Ciroma as monumental loss to the country.

Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu in Abuja, said with the death of Ciroma, Nigeria has lost one of its illustrious sons and highly respected elder statesman, with vast experience in many spheres of life.

“Although death is painful, it gladdens my heart that late Ciroma lived a worthy and successful life,” Saraki said. “As a public servant, late Ciroma’s integrity was unparalleled, as a politician, he was unblemished and as a journalist, he was among the finest breed.”

He added: “Indeed there is no word or adjective that will be enough to describe late Ciroma, considering his invaluable contributions to the development of the country.

“We have lost a de-tribalised Nigerian, bridge builder and a strong pillar for nation’s unity. He will surely be remembered for his forthrightness and integrity. We shall miss him greatly.”

The President of the Senate commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased and the Government and people of Yobe State over the loss.

While calling on the Federal Government to immortalize the late Ciroma by naming a strategic national monument after him, Saraki prayed to Allah to grant the soul of the elder statesman a place among the righteous ones in Aljannah Firdaus.

On his part, All Progressives Congress (APC) national stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said that with the demise of Adamu Ciroma, the country has lost an illustrious leader, consummate politician and accomplished public servant.

Reacting to the death of the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader on Thursday in Abuja, Asiwaju Tinubu said: “Mallam Adamu Ciroma was one of the illustrious leaders this country has produced. He was a politician of note. You cannot but recall his days in the Second Republic National Party of Nigeria and in the Peoples Democratic Party where he was one of the party’s founding fathers.

“He also made name as an experienced technocrat and skillful public servant particularly as Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor and in later years as Minister of Finance.

“He was a fine man who played politics with a commitment to serve the people and change society. This did not come as a surprise given his background honed by sound education at the popular Barewa College and University and his nationalistic worldview.

“My condolences go to the Ciroma family and the people of government of Yobe State. May his soul rest in peace.”

Also morning Adamu Ciroma, Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson, commiserated with the people and Government of Yobe State.

The Governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Francis Ottah Agbo, described Ciroma as “a rare patriot and nation builder who passed on when his counsel and selfless service were most needed.”

While describing the demise of the Elder Statesman as an irreparable loss to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Nigeria in general, Dickson called on Nigerian politicians to “emulate the selfless life of Mallam Ciroma.”

The Governor also prayed God to grant Ciroma eternal repose of his soul as well as grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss.

He said: “We have lost a rare patriot and a nation builder. Mallam Adamu Ciroma passed on when his selfless services and wise counsel were most needed. He has played his part in life very well. In and out of public service, he was a true Nigerian who rendered selfless service to fatherland. I urge Nigerian politicians to emulate his life of Service. I pray God to grant his family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear what is clearly an irreparable loss.”

On his part, Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello, described Adamu Ciroma as a great Nigerian who believe and worked for the unity of the country.

Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, said 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.

The Governor lauded 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 would be missed, said Nigerians should emulate his virtues.

The Governor then prayed Allah grant the deceased Aljana fidausi and the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Governor Sani-Bello commiserated with the Governor of Yobe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam, and the good people of the state over the death of Adamu Ciroma.

Also reacting to the sad development, former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, described Adamu Ciroma as an elder statesman that served the country creditably as the Governor of the Central Bank and the Minister of Finance. While urging the younger ones to emulate his spirit of service, he prayed for the repose of his soul.