The Kwara State governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has mourned the death of the late chief of Staff to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Gen. Mohammed Abdullahi.
In a statement signed by his chief press secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, the governor said:” I joined family, friends, associates, and the people of Ilorin, Kwara, and Nigeria on the death of a fine soldier, administrator, and community leader Major General Abdullahi Adangba at the age of 86.
“A part from his distinguished career as a commissioned officer of the Nigerian Army, General Abdullahi Adangba was at various times a military Governor of Benue-Plateau State; Director General of the defunct National Security Organization (NSO); National Security Adviser to former Military leader Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar; and Chief of Staff to former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Umar Musa Yar’Adua; among other senior roles he played in Nigeria.
” The death of General Adangba is a profound loss not just to the Ilorin Emirate but to the entire nation”.
He sent his heartfelt condolences to the Emir of Ilorin, Alh Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari and the people of the Emirate, the family of the late General, and the military hierarchy on the development.
In his condolence message, the Emir of Ilorin, Alh Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, expressed sadness over the demise of Gen. Abdullahi.
In a statement signed by his press secretary, Dr. Abdulazeez Arowona, the Emir noted that Abdullahi served Nigeria diligently in various capacities and extended opportunities to the less privileged in the society.
Sulu-Gambari described the former Chief of Staff to former President Olusegun Obasanjo as “a proud indigene of Ilorin Emirate and a distinguished Nigeria who used his positions, strength and wealth to protect and promote the heritage of Ilorin Emirate and humanity at large.”
“He was indeed a patriotic and detrabilised Nigerian whose contributions to national unity and development knows-no-bound,” Sulu-Gambari added.
The Emir extended his heartfelt sympathy to the immediate and extended family of the deceased, members, governments of Kwara and Plateau states as well as the federal government .
Born in 1939, Abdullahi served Nigeria in various capacities, including, Chief of Staff to Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007) and Umaru Musa Yar’adua (2007-2008, national security adviser to General Abdulsalami Abubakar (1998-1999), director general of the National Security Organisation (1976-1979) and Governor of Benue-Plateau State (July 1975-February 1976).
Also, the vice chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Egbewole (SAN), expressed sadness over the demise of t Abdullahi, describing him as one of the founding fathers of the University.
Egbewole, in a statement issued by the University’s director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun, said that the management, staff and students of the University received the news of the death of the statesman with profound sadness, considering his roles in the take-off of the University and his several contributions to national development.
Egbewole, who described the late General as an illustrious son of Nigeria, recalled that the nucleus of the University began in a building belonging to the late General at G.R.A, Ilorin, where its pioneer vice chancellor lived.
He commiserated with the governor of Kwara State, the Emir of Ilorin, and the Alfanla Adangba family of Ilorin over the loss of this elder statesman.
The family members of the late chief of Staff to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Gen. Mohammed Abdullahi said the deceased would be sorely missed.
They said the vacuum created by the death of Abdullahi popularly known as Gen. Abdullahi Adangba in his home state- Kwara, would be difficult to fill.
Abdullahi died yesterday at the age of 86.
Speaking exclusively with LEADERSHIP at the deceased’s family house at Adangba area, Ilorin, the Imam of Adangba Mosque and a junior brother of the deceased, Muhammad Bashiru Imam, described the deceased as ” our family’s umbrella.”
“Gen. Abdullahi Adangba was a quiet, easy going person. He didn’t make noise about his good deeds to people at home, Ilorin, Jos and Nigeria.
“He was a devoted Muslim and always observed his prayer at Ansar -U- Deen Mosques in Ilorin and Abuja. This explains while the janazah prayer for our father will be held at Ansar- U- Deen Mosque in Abuja.
” We will miss him a lot. He was a cover for the family. We believe the government at the state and federal level will honour him for his contributions to the growth of Kwara State and Nigeria,” Imam said.
Imam also disclosed that a special janazah prayer will be held for Abdullahi at his Adangba family residence at 4pm on Wednesday.
