Nigeria President, Goodluck Jonathan has spoken of the role of late former President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in his emergence as President of the country.
Speaking in Katsina State on Thursday night at a State Banquet organised in his honour by the Katsina State Government, Jonathan noted that he might have still remained Governor of Bayelsa State without Yar’Adua’s influence. He therefore described his visits to Katsina as a kind of homecoming.
“As you all know, without the role played by your great son of blessed memory, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in my political career, I would probably still be in Yenagoa as Governor of Bayelsa State”, he said.
“Without him, I probably wouldn’t have been President of Nigeria today. He was a very good boss. He was honest, forthright, and patriotic. He had a great vision for Nigeria and set out to do things in a different and original manner. We all take consolation in the fact that he gave his best during the short period that he served our country.”
He expressed assurance that were the late president alive today, he would be impressed with the visible transformation ongoing all over the state courtesy of the foresight and dedication of Governor Ibrahim Shema and members of his cabinet.
“The team deserves commendation not only for initiating new projects, but also for ensuring the completion of all the projects initiated by our late beloved President, Umaru Yar’Adua who by providence was his, and also my own predecessor in office.
“Since our arrival this morning, we have gone round parts of the state to inspect and commission projects; and the projects that I have seen are quite inspiring and highly commendable. They confirm what well-meaning indigenes of the state have often told me about the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of the people.”
The thanked Shema again for the “outstanding”, saying that by his commitment, he has proven that people — rather than politics — are the most important ingredient in governance.
“By justifying the trust that the people have reposed in him, he has also made the Peoples Democratic Party, our great party which he once served as Deputy National Chairman, very proud indeed”, Jonathan added.
