President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the family, friends and associates of a former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye, praying God to comfort them.
The president, in a statement by his Spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina in Abuja on Sunday, condoled with the Ago-Iwoye community as well as the government and people of Ogun State over the passing of the Third Republic senator.
He noted that Martins-Kuye also served in the Fourth Republic as Minister of State for Finance and Minister of Commerce and Industry, bringing with him many years of experience from the banking sector.
According to him, Martins-Kuye will be sorely missed for his insight on issues of development, particularly in tailoring budgets that reflect the needs of the people, with emphasis on full implementation.
Buhari prayed that the soul of the former minister would rest in peace.
Martins-Kuye, was born on August 16, 1942, in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.
He was a senator in the Third Republic and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state in 1999.
Martins-Kuye was appointed Minister of State for Finance in June 1999 during the first term of President Olusegun Obasanjo.
On April 6, 2010, Martins-Kuye was also appointed Minister of Commerce and Industry by the then acting President Goodluck Jonathan.
Also, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State has expressed sadness over the death of Martins-Kuye.
This is contained in a statement by Tunde Oladunjoye, Publicity Secretary, Ogun APC Caretaker Committee in Abeokuta on Sunday.
Martins-Kuye died in his residence in Lagos on Sunday at the age of 78.
The ruling party spokesman described Martins-Kuye’s death as “the passing away of one of Ogun’s finest politicians’’.
“He was an uncommon bridge builder, patriot and a humane, courteous and humble politician whose model was politics without bitterness.
“Either as a Federal minister or as a Senator of the Federal Republic, Martins-Kuye gave a good account of himself as an accessible community leader, grassroots mobiliser, moulder of people and builder of bridges,’’ he said.
He commiserated with Governor Dapo Abiodun and the people of Ogun on the exit of the ‘political titan’.
“We pray that God will grant the deceased immediate and political family, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.’’
Former Governor of Abia State and Chief Whip of the Senate, Dr. Orji Kalu, has commiserated with the government and people of Ogun State over the demise of Martins-Kuye.
Acknowledging the roles played by the deceased in the social, economic and political development of Ogun State and Nigeria in general, Kalu stressed that the late politician will be remembered for his passion for the welfare of the masses.
The former Governor noted that the late community leader left behind good legacies for his family, loved ones and political associates to uphold, stressing that the late Martins-Kuye was an accomplished accountant, consummate politician, grassroots mobilizer and philanthropist.
In a condolence message, the Senate Chief Whip prayed to Allah to grant the deceased Al-Jannah Firdaus and comfort the Martins-Kuye family during this period of grief.
He said: “On behalf of the people of Abia North Senatorial District, I convey my sincere condolences to the Martins – Kuye family of Ago-Iwoye, Ogun state over the passing of former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye.
“The late prominent politician was a compassionate and selfless politician.
“His achievements in the private and public sectors are attributed to his extra-ordinary leadership style.
“He lived a remarkable life dedicated to the service of humanity.
“The deceased will be remembered for his good deeds”.
National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr. Olu Agunloye, also commiserated with the family.
In a special tribute entitled ‘Two-Time Minister, Gentleman JMK Bows Out’,. Agunloye wrote:
“The two-time Minister of the Federal Republic, fondly called JMK, graduated from the University of Ibadan in 1968. He was in Sultan Bello Hall. It was my own friend and brother, Prof Femi Odekunle who brought me in close contact with his friends and classmates like Yemi Kayode-Adedeji, Tayo Lambo, David Lambo, Leye Ajayi, Niyi Adedeji, Leki Adelekun, Layi Erinoso, Jubril Martins-Kuye, Segun Afolabi etc who were all two years my senior at the University. These seniors were all remarkable scholars and jolly fellows. JMK was particularly cool. He was a complete gentleman. I always wondered which came first. That Sultan Bello Hall, UI was named Gentleman’s Hall because Martins-Kuye was there or it was because the Students Affairs Office of the university noticed that Martins-Kuye was a gentleman and therefore assigned him to Sultan Bello Hall.
JMK served as a Senator during the Third Republic and was later appointed Hon Minister of Finance between 1999 and 2003. After this, JMK served as Board Chairman of the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA for about three years and served again as Minister of Commerce and Industry between 2010 and 2011.
Throughout his life, JMK was devoted to service at all the levels he found himself, from college to undergraduate days, to the Hallowed Chamber of Senate, to the Federal Executive Council. Above all, he was the devout Muslim husband who was married to a devout Christian wife and the couple lived happily together because, according to JMK, they were “serving the same God”.
JMK, my friend and senior, your departure is shocking and painful. We are, however, hopeful that the Almighty God will accept you to His bosom and grant you eternal peace and comfort your families, friends and associates”.
The minister’s political godson, Senator Lekan Mustapha, confirmed his death at the age of 78.
Mustapha described the death of Martins-Kuye as shocking, saying he was not just a mentor but a pathfinder.
According to reports, the former minister would be buried by 4 p.m. on Sunday according to Islamic rites.
