President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the Sultanate as well as the government and people of Sokoto State on the death of the Walin Sokoto, Amb. Hamzat Ahmad, on Saturday.
This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by the president’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu.
The statement said the president in a condolence letter to the Sokoto State Government described Ahmad as a reputable public servant and highly distinguished diplomat who spent most of his life in the service of his country.
Buhari, according to the condolence letter, said the demise of the former Nigerian ambassador, who served in London and Washington DC, was a great loss to his community and the entire country.
‘‘I have learnt with deep shock and grief of the passing away of Alhaji Hamzat Ahmad (Walin Sokoto).
“His death is a great loss to Sokoto State, the diplomatic and business communities and to the Nigerian public service.
‘‘Alhaji Hamzat served meritoriously as a senior civil servant in the old Northern Nigeria Government and with the Federal Civil Service.
“In Lagos, he held the post of Principal Secretary to the then Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, whom he served with diligence and loyalty.
‘‘Please convey my sincere condolences to His Royal Highness, the Sultan of Sokoto, his family and the good people of Sokoto State on the demise of their illustrious son,” the condolence letter stated.
The president prayed that the Almighty God would grant the soul of the late Walin Sokoto a peaceful rest and grant his family the strength to bear the loss. Bottom of FormTop of Form
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The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Yakubu Dogara, has also condoled the government and people of Sokoto State and the Sultanate Council over the demise of Alhaji Hamzat Ahmadu.
This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Turaki Hassan, Special Adviser on Media to Dogara, in Abuja on Monday.
Dogara described Ahmadu’s death as a big loss not only to Sokoto State, but Nigeria in general.
He said that the deceased made valuable contributions to the development of Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives.
The speaker described the deceased a consummate statesman and an accomplished diplomat who dedicated his life and time to the service of his country and people.
Dogara prayed God to grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss of former Nigerian Ambassador to the U.S.
Ahmadu died at a private hospital in Lagos on Sunday at the age of 92. (NAN)