P Sambo says Late Yakowa of Kaduna State was epitome of selfless service and patriotism

Nigeria’s Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo has said that the late Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa has left behind a worthy legacy of selfless service and patriotism.

Mohammed Namadi Sambo stated this on Saturday, December14, 2013 in Kaduna at the occasion of the one year memorial anniversary of the late Governor, who died on December 15, 2012, held at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Multi-Purpose Hall in the  Murtala Mohammed Square, Kaduna.

Namadi Sambo while describing the late governor as a brother, friend, colleague and confidant, also said that he would forever be remembered for the exemplary life he lived.

“Being a man of peace, Yakowa has made peace unity and purposefulness the cardinal objectives of his life. He would be best remembered for his accommodating posture, benevolence, love of peace, tolerance, sense of unity and purposefulness as well as humility which earned him the title: ‘Yakowa na kowa da kowa’ meaning ‘a man of the people.’

Sambo said that the event was significant as the Late Patrick Yakowa holds an enviable position in the annals of history. Adding, the younger generation should be inspired by his dedication to duty and selflessness. He further called for peace and unity in the State; stressing that without peace there would be no meaningful development.

Speaking on some of the developmental strides of the Federal Government in Kaduna State, he informed the gathering that the Kaduna-Abuja Fast Train Project has reached seventy per cent completion; noting that the Gurara Dam and the Kaduna Power Plant Project at the Kudenda Industrial Area, among several other projects would soon be completed.

Vice President Sambo reiterated the commitment of the present administration to fulfilling its social contract with Nigerians, calling on Nigerians to join hands in the quest to transform the nation and build on the labour of the country’s past heroes.

In his remarks at the occasion, the Kaduna State Governor, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, promised to continue with the legacies of Late Patrick Yakowa. He invited the people of the State to honour him by living in peace and unity.

Goodwill messages which captured the exemplary life of Late Yakowa were delivered by the governors of Bauchi and Ebonyi States, the National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party – Bamanga Tukur; Esther Nenadi Usman – a member of the Senate and the Emir of Zazzau, Shehu Idris as well as the Chairman of Jama’tul Nasirul Islam and the Christian Association of Nigeria, Kaduna State Chapter.

Highlights of the event were the lectures delivered by Abdullahi Aliyu Damau on the topic: “Challenges of Responsibilities for Leadership in Nigeria which focused on the legacies of late Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa towards the attainment of unified, peaceful and efficient leadership in Kaduna State between 2003 and 2012 as well as that of Yusuf Turaki (Professor). He deliberated on achieving peace and unity in a multi-ethnic and multi-religious environment. There was also a special musical rendition titled ‘Someone to Remember Me’.

The Keynote address was delivered by James Kantiyok (Professor), while the tribute and vote of thanks were presented by the children of the late governor. The theme of the memorial celebration was “Leadership and Sustainable Development: The Legacy of a Patriot on Peace and Selfless Service.”

Among several dignitaries present at the event was the widow of the late governor, Amina Yakowa.