Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson, has said Nigeria needs quintessential and selfless leaders like Mallam Adamu Ciroma to rescue the country from the shackles of injustice, misrule and underdevelopment.

A statement signed by the Governor's Chief Press Secretary, Francis Ottah Agbo, quoted Dickson as speaking on Sunday in Abuja during a condolence visit to the family of the late Elder Statesman who died last week.

Dickson eulogised Ciroma for his leadership qualities and service to fatherland. While stressing that Ciroma lived for humanity, the Governor stressed that his demise is not just a great loss to Nigeria but clearly irredeemable! He also assured the Ciromas that he will continue to maintain his relationship with the family.

He said: “Mallam Adamu Ciroma lived for humanity and worked for the unity and progress of Nigeria. He was exceptional in and out of office. In all the places he worked, from New Nigeria Newspaper where he was editor and later MD, CBN Governor, Finance Minister and others, he served without blemish and etched his name in the sands of time... As a top political leader, he played politics of Service to fatherland and politics of conviction.

“He was a Statesman and a quintessential leader. He left us when we needed him most but who are we to question God. We can only thank God for doing what only He can do. He gives and takes at will, ours is to accept this at all times. I join his family, associates and friends to pray for the eternal repose of his soul.

“We condole the family, the wife and children he has left behind. We pray to God for Nigeria to have many Adamu Ciromas, who will dedicate their lives to the well being of their people and rescue this country from injustice and underdevelopment.”

Speaking on behalf of the family, a former Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri, on behalf of the family, welcomed Dickson and entourage to the home of the Ciromas.

He thanked the governor for his support to the late Ciroma and family, adding that the family held him in high esteem.

He said: “I was surprised that we did not see you earlier. But when I asked my leader's wife, Hajia Ciroma, she told me you travelled outside Nigeria. And we are happy you made it here the moment you returned to Nigeria.

“The loss of Mallam is beyond the family. As you said, we need many more Mallam, all of us must concur that a void has been created by the death of our leader, Mallam Adamu Ciroma. “Mallam lived 84 years in public service. Public service is synonymous with Mallam and his family and that was why he had to accept public service against his will when Gen Sani Abacha appointed him in 1993.”

The Governor was accompanied by former Deputy Senate President, Ibrahim Mantu, former Minister of Power, Mohammed Wakil, Kano-born politician and son of late Head of State, Mohammed Abacha, Varsity Don, Dr. Umar Ardo, National Chairman of APDA, Alhaji Shittu Mohammed Kabir, National President of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Mrs Funkazi Crooks and others.

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