The Ciroma we knew, by Buhari, Saraki, Dogara, Tinubu, Makarfi, Daniel, ACF

President Muhammadu Buhari has received with sadness, the news of the passing of the former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Malam Adamu Ciroma.
The President in a condolence message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Thursday, condoled with the Ciroma family, the government and people of Yobe on the passing of the elder statesman.
The President believed that Ciroma as a political leader and minister for Industries, Agriculture and Finance, at various points in his remarkable life, would be long remembered for his remarkable service and dedication to the country’s unity, progress and stability.
Buhari also affirmed that the late former CBN Governor would be honoured too for his contributions to promoting democracy in Nigeria.
According to him, Ciroma’s legacies should be a constant reminder to politicians who wish to work for the good of their communities and the nation.
The President prayed that almighty Allah would grant the deceased eternal rest and comfort the elder statesman’s family and associates.
Ciroma, an elder statesman, died in Abuja on Thursday after a protracted illness.
Ciroma, who would have been 84 on November 20, was also a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He served as Minister of Finance in the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo from 1999 to 2003.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Boss Mustapha, and President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, described the death as a big loss to the country.
Mustapha and Saraki made the remarks at the funeral prayer for the deceased at Al-Nur Mosque, in Abuja.
The SGF said that Nigeria has lost a custodian of its history, adding that Ciroma has left a legacy of promoting one Nigeria.
According to him, the deceased will be greatly remembered for his stand about the unity, progress and development of the country.
He said that the late Ciroma was always practical and pragmatic when it came to issue of politics, saying “some of us that actually started way behind them always look up to him.
“ Ciroma was a man endowed with a lot of knowledge, negotiation skills and at the end of the day whatever he did Nigeria interest was always paramount to him.
“ I commiserate with his family, the people of Fika Local Government, the Yobe State Government and the entire nation, “ Mustapha said.
Also speaking, Saraki said Ciroma had contributed immensely to the development, peace and unity of the country.
“ For us who have known him for a very long time, he had played a very important role in our lives and it is a great loss for us.
“ I pray that may Allah grant him entry into paradise and give his immediate family the fortitude to bear the loss, “ Saraki said.
On his part, former National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, said the country would continue to feel the demise of Adamu Ciroma because of his commitment to the country.
“ Ciroma was a very straight forward person and a leader par excellence and I pray may Allah grant him Aljannatur Firdaus”.
The funeral prayer, which was led by the Chief Imam of Al-Nur mosque, Sheikh Mohammad Liman, was attended by Governor Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State.
Other dignitaries, who attended the funeral prayer, were Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, former SGF, Yayale Ahmed and Ambassador Sarki Tafida, among others.
The remains of the deceased were buried at the Gaduwa cemetery amid tears and prayers by family, friends and muslim ummah.
Ciroma was born on November 20, 1934 in Potiskum, Yobe State, and died on Thursday at the Turkish Hospital, Abuja, after a protracted illness.
He was the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) between September 1975 and June 1977.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, also described his demise as “a great loss’’.
Dogara said the late Ciroma was one of the nation’s “shining stars and frontline statesmen’’ who demonstrated passion for the unity, progress and development of Nigeria.
He said in a statement that the late statesman was an “icon of transparency and an epitome of integrity who lived an incorruptible life’’.
“Indeed we lost a great man, a patriot, leader par excellence and a shining star.
“Malam Adamu Ciroma was one of the few surviving close associates of the late Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello.
“He remained a consistent advocate for the struggle to see Nigeria achieve the dreams of her founding fathers,” he said.
Dogara said that Ciroma was an intellectual genius and highly cosmopolitan public servant who exhibited high sense of patriotism, passion and enthusiasm for the progress and development of the country.
He recalled that while as first indigenous Editor and Managing Director of New Nigerian Newspaper, CBN Governor and Minister in different administrations, Ciroma distinguished himself as an epitome of integrity.
According to Dogara, Ciroma was indeed a rare Nigerian, accomplished administrator, uncommon patriot and distinguished elder statesman, who lived an eventful, exemplary and accomplished life worthy of emulation.
“On behalf of the entire membership of the House of Representatives, I wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, the government and people of Yobe as well as to his associates and admirers.’’
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) described Ciroma as a hardworking, diligent and visionary Nigerian who committed his life to the service of the nation.
The ACF said in a condolence message by its Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Biu, in Kaduna that Nigeria has lost one of its finest statesmen.
“The late Malam Ciroma was a quintessential civil servant and politician who served Nigeria in various capacities in the first and second republics as well as the military regimes and the fourth republic.
“He was an embodiment of hard work, diligence, selfless service and above all loyal to the cause of nation building.
“He was a great public servant who left an indelible mark especially as the first indigenous Editor and Managing Director of the first Northern newspaper company, the New Nigerian Newspapers Ltd and also as the Central Bank of Nigeria Governor during the Military regime of General Murtala Muhammad.
“The late elder statesman was a man of great intellect and vision, and a politician who was a strong pillar that continues to support the unity and stability of Nigeria,’’ the statement added.
The ACF stressed that Ciroma would be remembered for his political doggedness, commitment to national unity and selfless service to his father land.
“ Nigeria has lost one of its finest elder statesman, a bridge builder and a leader who lived a simple and humble life.
“He needs no tombstone to remind us of his legacies. Yet the best remembrance is for those he has left behind to live up what he stood for.
“ACF extends its condolences to the Ciroma family, the Government and people of Yobe and Borno and all Nigerians over the demise of the Madakin Fika, Malam Adamu Ciroma.
“May Allah (SWT) grant his gentle soul perfect rest in Aljannah Firdaus and for all of us the fortitude to bear this great loss.’’
The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, described the death as a great loss to Nigeria.
In a statement by his Media Officer, Mr Tunde Rahman, in Lagos, Tinubu said the country had lost an illustrious leader who played politics with a commitment to serve the people and change society.
He said that the late Ciroma was a consummate politician and an accomplished public servant.
”Malam 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 (NPN) and in the PDP where he was one of the party’s founding fathers.
”He also made name as an experienced technocrat and skilful 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 of Ibadan 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, ” Tinubu said.
Former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, described the death as a great loss.
In a statement by his Media Officer, Ayo Giwa, Daniel stated that Ciroma was a highly respected personality who distinguished himself as a public servant, journalist, banker, administrator and politician.
Ciroma, he said, “was a very strong force in Nigerian polity and well respected in the political landscape over the years as he improved on the democratic ideals of the founding fathers and played his roles conscientiously and selflessly in the service to the his fatherland.
According to the former governor, the demise of Ciroma ended a glorious chapter in the nation’s history as one of the few remaining titans and forefront nationalists who laid the foundation for modern day Nigeria.
“No doubt, his death is a great loss to the country and particularly, Yobe State having served across borders during his distinguished career but we take solace in the solid legacies he left which will continue to inspire coming generations”, he said.
Former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Mohammed Makarfi,said he received the news with shock.
Makarfi said “though saddened by this heavy loss, I derive consolation from the fact that Malam Adamu Ciroma lived a good life in the service of God and humanity. No doubt, “Malam Adamu, an epitome of simplicity and excellence, has bequeathed a legacy of humility, honesty  and courage in the face of daunting odds, as well as dedication and commitment to what he believed in, top of which was his abiding faith in this country and a desire to ensure the prevalence  of justice and equity.
“His contributions to both public service as well as the evolution of democracy and good governance in Nigeria, which included standing up to dictatorships as well as speaking truth to power, the founding of PDP, serving as Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria and a Minister in several ministries over time, among others will continue to be remembered and cherished.
“It is my earnest prayer that Allah (SWT) will abundantly reward Malam Adamu Ciroma for his numerous good deeds, grant him eternal rest and also give his family and all of us the fortitude to bear this loss”.
Stakeholders in the business sector also paid tributes to Ciroma, describing the death as “a big loss” to the family and the nation at large.
Dr Frank Jacobs, President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), expressed shock over the demise of Ciroma, saying that Ciroma’s death was a big loss to the country.
“It is common knowledge that he did a very good job during his service to the nation in various capacities.
“I pray God to grant the family and the nation the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss,” he said.
Prof. Olukunle Iyanda, President, Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) said that the ex-minister was a prominent statesman who operated with great level of decency when he served as minister.
He urged the younger generation looking to step into Ciroma’ shoe to imbibe his traits of decency and level of decorum for better the society.
Mr Segun Ajibola, Ex-President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) told NAN that Ciroma was one of the few technocrats who did their best for the country, given the circumstances under which they operated.
“From my observation, he was above average, a man of integrity”.