Elder statesman and ex- Finance Minister, Malam Adamu Ciroma is dead. He was 84 years old.
Ciroma, who was also former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, died in an Abuja hospital on Thursday after a protracted illness.
Ciroma until his death was a founding member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was finance minister under President Olusegun Obasanjo administration from 1999 to 2003. He was also minister of agriculture and managing director of New Nigerian newspapers.
He has been buried according to muslim rites. However, condolence messages has continued to pour in.
Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, GCFR, described the death of Malam Adamu Ciroma (Madakin Fika) at the age of 84 as a great loss of a man that was passionate about the unity and development of Nigeria.
General Babangida said: “Although death is inevitable and one day we shall all return to our creator. Indeed, Malam Adamu Ciroma was a rare gem that has versatility and a pillar of national decelopment who had made positive contributions in various sectors of our national life. ” The former Military President said: “I must express my sadness over the death of the elder statesman at this critical moment of our national renaissance and cohesion, when Malam Adamu would have played a prominent roles towards proferring solutions to the myriads of our national problems. “On behalf of myself and my family, I extend our condolence to his entire family, the Fika emirate and to the Government and people of Yobe State on this great loss of pillar of unity.”
Also, a message from the Central Bank of Nigeria, said, the Governor and Management of Central Bank of Nigeria hereby announce the passage of Mallam Adamu Ciroma, who died on the 5th of July, 2018. He was the Governor of the Bank from 24th September, 1975 to 28th June, 1977.
Mallam Ciroma was born on the 20th of November, 1934 in Potiskum, Yobe State. He was a graduate of University of Ibadan and served in different capacities in the Public Service. He was appointed to the Board of the Central Bank of Nigeria in 1970 where he served as a Director before his appointment as the Governor in 1975. He also served as Minister in the Ministries of Industry, Agriculture and Finance and on the Board of several companies. Until his demise, Mallam Ciroma was still of immense service to the Bank. He was a firm believer in the sanctity and independence of the CBN. While we mourn the loss of a very good man, an astute central banker and a patriot, we also celebrate his remarkable life and contribution to the banking industry in Nigeria. He is survived by his wife and children and has since been buried according to Islamic rites. We pray Almighty Allah to grant his family and the nation the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello, Governor of Niger state,described late Alhaji Adamu Ciroma as a great Nigerian who believe and worked for the unity of the country. Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello in a condolence message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace said the elder-statesman had contributed significantly to national development and history would remember him as a man who stood for the unity and oneness of the nation.
The Governor lauded the hard work, commitment and dedication of the elder-statesman to the development of the nation during his lifetime. “I wish to state that the late Alhaji Adamu Ciroma lived an exemplary life and was a national pillar while he was alive, he was always ready to serve his fatherland with all his capabilities. “I urge the Family of Late Adamu Ciroma to take Solace in the fact that he lived a good life, he was an inspiration to many in the country and beyond. “On behalf of Government and people of Niger State, we extend our sympathy to his family .”. Governor Sani-Bello who said that the elder statesman’s wise will be missed said Nigerians should emulate his virtues.
The Governor then prayed Allah grant the deceased Aljana fidausi and the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. Governor Sani-Bello commiserated with the Governor of Yobe State, Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam and the good people of the state over the death of Adamu Ciroma. Family sources said the elder statesman died in an
