President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua passed away at the age of 58, on this day, 10 years ago.
Yar’Adua became President on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), after being a two-term Governor of Katsina State.
He was declared the winner of the Nigerian presidential election held on 21st April 2007 and was sworn in on 29th May 2007.
Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was the son of Musa Yar’Adua, a Minister in Nigeria’s 1st Republic
Yar’Adua started his education at Rafukka Primary School in 1958 and moved to Dutsinma Boarding Primary School in 1962.
He attended Government College at Keffi from 1965 until 1969. In 1971, he received a Higher School Certificate from Barewa College.
Late President Yar’Adua attended Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria from 1972 to 1975, where he obtained a B.Sc. Degree in Education and Chemistry. He, however, returned to school in 1978 to pursue an M.Sc. Degree in Analytical Chemistry.
Also read:
– Open Letter From Obasanjo to President Buhari: Predicts Imminent Calamity
– #PresidentCovik: Imam of Peace Tackles Buhari, Calls Him” The Dumbest Person In Nigeria”
– President Muhammadu Buhari Makes Bold Statement On Poverty
On the 17th December 2006, Yar’Adua was chosen as the presidential candidate of the ruling PDP for the April 2007 election.
He received 3,024 votes from party delegates. His closest rival, Rochas Okorocha, received 372 votes.
In the presidential election, held on 2nd April 2007, Yar’Adua won with 70% of the vote (24.6 million votes) according to official results released on 23rd April.
On 24th February 2010, President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua returned to Abuja under the cover of darkness after a long medical trip to London. His state of health was unclear, but there were speculations he was hooked to a life support machine.
Various political and as well as religious figures in Nigeria visited him during his illness. Many also proclaimed he would make a full recovery. However, Yar’Adua died on 5th May at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja.
An Islamic burial also took place on 6th May in his hometown in Katsina.
The Federal Government of Nigeria declared a seven-day mourning period. Acting President Goodluck Jonathan said:
“Nigeria has lost the jewel on its crown and even the heavens mourn with our nation tonight. As individuals and as a nation we prayed for the recovery of Mr. President. But we take solace in the fact that the Almighty is the giver and taker of all life.”
Today we remember an exemplary leader who upheld the rule of law while he was President of Nigeria.
For your daily dose of tech, lifestyle and trending content, make sure to follow Plat4om on Twitter @Plat4omLive, on Instagram @Plat4om, on LinkedIn at Plat4om, and on Facebook at Plat4om. You can also email us at info@plat4om.com. Finally, don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE.