From Ndubuisi Orji and Kemi Yesufu,Abuja
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has said one of the greatest legacies of late Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki was his “modernising influence on the Sultanate and the traditional institution” during his eight years “eventful reign as monarch.”
In a tribute released by his Media Office, in Abuja, yesterday, the former vice president noted that Dasuki was “a remarkably unique ruler who combined tradition with modernity, making the Sultan Palace become the epitome of the beauty of modern architecture.”
According to Atiku, it was impossible to visit the Sultan’s Palace in Sokoto without being moved and overawed by the transformation it underwent under Dasuki’s 8-year-tenure as the 18th Sultan of Sokoto.
The House of Representatives and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also mourned the former Sultan of Sokoto.
At yesterday’s plenary, Hon. Aminu Shehu Shagari, from Sokoto, informed the chamber of Dasuki’s death and, thereafter, Speaker Yakubu Dogara, requested a minute silence for the respose of the late monarch’s soul.
Similarly, the PDP, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, commiserated with the Dasuki family on the death of their patriarch.
On his part, Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello said Nigeria will miss Dasuki’s wisdom and described his death “as a colossal loss, whose wealth of knowledge will be greatly missed at this crucial and critical period of the nation’s life.”
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Jibrin Baba Ndace, eulogised and described the late monarch as a seasoned technocrat, respected traditional ruler, diplomat par excellence and religious bridge builder.
“The late Sultan Dasuki made his mark, not only as a traditional and religious leader, but, also, as a political icon. His contribution to the building of an egalitarian society where all, irrespective of colour, creed, religion or tribe were afforded a level playing ground remain unparalleled,” he said.