From Okwe Obi, Abuja
A former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd.); former governor of Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao were among the dignitaries paid their last respect to a former military governor of Plateau State, Air Com. Dan Suleiman.
Suleiman, who was a member of the National Democratic Coalition, Middle-Belt Forum and Nigeria’s former Ambassador to Russia, died on February 1, 2023.
The event was attended by a former governor of Plateau State, Jonah David Jang; former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Barnabas Germade; former Minister of Information and Orientation, Prof. Jerry Gana; former governor of Plateau State, Fidelis Tapgun; former Ambassador of the Scandinavian countries, Dr Godknows Igali (representing Chief Edwin Clark); Sen Grace Folasade Bent among others.
While eulogising him, Gen Danjuma said: “Dan was younger than me. I am a traditional man and by my culture, he is supposed to be the one to bury me, not me burying him.
“I am not supposed to be here, but I had to make an exception because he was a good man. We had a close shave with death together.
“I always told him not to die before me, but it has happened. So, I decided to show my face here and quietly talk to the family before going back to Lagos where I am based.”
Dr Eziefe, who is the Chairman of Igbo Consultative Forum said: “On behalf of my people, the Ohaneze Ndigbo, I bring you condolences. He lived 80 years, this kind of person, we will like him to live up to 120 years. But he tried and all those years he lived were very useful.”
Also, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Amao said the late Suleiman was a man of integrity who lived a fulfilled life.
“Our beloved senior colleague was one of the founding fathers of the Nigerian Air Force whose contribution to the development of the NAF remains a focal point of reference as far as our history as a service is concerned.
“Air Commodore Dan Suleiman will surely be missed for his commendable and professional contribution not just to the Air Force and the Middle Belt, but to the entire nation.”
The son of the deceased, Jim Suleiman, even in the imperfection of his father, he was a strong believer who put his faith in Jesus Christ.
He said, “My father’s principles in life were very simple, which is, ‘seek ye first the kingdom of God, seek his righteousness and every other thing will be added’. So, that is the way he lived his life, depending on God’s leadership and taking life one step at a time.
“He has been a father, a mentor, he has been everything to me, he has been consistent, he has been someone I can follow, he walked a path that is simple to follow. I will miss his wise counsel.
“If you read his first book and autobiography titled, ‘Pilot of Justice’, even in that title, he was so much concerned about justice, that is his major concern. Everything he did from NADECO to the Middle Belt was to ensure that there was justice and equality for everybody.