Eminent Nigerians, states and groups yesterday paid glowing tributes to former Nigerian Ambassador to South Africa and Sokoto Prince, Alhaji Shehu Malami, who died in Egypt, Cairo on Monday.
Among those who eulogised the late diplomat and businessman were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and Government College Bida Old Students Association (BOSA).
Osinbajo paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Malami, where he described him as a “good example, an inspiration to me and many others,” adding he would be sorely missed.
The vice president who spoke at the residence of the deceased in Abuja, said “he was always a source of inspiration and a good example to many of us.
“Of course, we all know that he was a good example in diplomacy, (he was ambassador to South Africa); in business, he founded so many businesses (he was one of the founders of Ecobank, and in Standard Chartered Bank, he was a director). And even in the World Economic Forum, he was on the International Advisory Council.”
Continuing, the VP in a statement issued by his media aide , Laolu Akande, said “his impact was tremendous and I think that he will be greatly missed not just by his community and Sokoto State, but by the entire country because his voice was a voice of authority, represented hard work and diligence, and unity for the entire country.”
“At a time when our country is going through so much, it is very sad that we will miss such an important voice – the voice of brotherhood, the voice of unity. But we are happy that he didn’t just come, he came to this earth and achieved so much and he was a blessing to many including myself and I am sure many other people here,” the VP observed.
“I just want to say that God is the one who gives life and is the only one who can determine when we will go. I pray that the Lord almighty will comfort all members of his family and preserve his memory and his legacy,” he added.
The VP was received by the widow, children, members of the family and associates of the deceased.
Also yesterday Governor Tambuwal joined Muslim faithful in praying for the repose of the soul of Malami.
Tambuwal in a statement he personally signed, said: “It is with sublime submission to the will of Allah (SWT) that I received the news of the death of an illustrious son and one the leaders of the Sokoto Caliphate, Alhaji Shehu Malami.
“Aged 85, the late potentate was an accomplished banker and industrialist whose footprints are still visible on the national landscape.
“Vastly educated and referred to as the Oxford man, the late Alhaji Malami was born in Sokoto, where he had his early education. He was also at basic schools at Bida and Katsina. Later he was variously in colleges in England for his GCE ordinary and advanced levels.
“Later he bagged a degree in law from the Middle Temple, London and was a visiting scholar at Wolfecon College, Cambridge. He was also an Associate Member of St. Anthony’s College, Oxford.
“Back home, he worked as a private secretary and then as special assistant to Sultan Sadiq Abubakar III. He also had a stint at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) as a broadcaster. He moved on to greater heights becoming a technocrat and banker. On the international scene, his presence was felt as a member of the International Advisory Council of the World Economic Forum Foundation, Geneva, Switzerland.
“Humble and astute, he would be remembered as a repository of the norms and values that make the Sokoto Caliphate tick. His knowledge of the country, its politics and economy would also be missed on the national scene, especially at this time of another democratic transition.
“On behalf of the government and good people of Sokoto State, I join His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, in praying for the repose of his soul.
“May Jannatul Firdaus be his abode. May Allah grant his family and well-wishers the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss,” Tambuwal said.
His burial rites are yet to be announced, as the Sultanate Council is waiting for the arrival of his body from Egypt.
Relatedly, the apex sociocultural northern group, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has expressed regrets over the demise of “our chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) Ambassador Shehu Malami (Sarkin Sudan Wurno) who died on Monday, 19th December, 2022 in Cairo, Egypt.
A statement issued by the secretary-general of the forum Murtala Aliyu said Ambassador Shehu Malami was born in Sokoto in 1937 as a prince of the Sultanate dynasty who had his early education in Sokoto, Bida and Katsina.
He said the late Malami attended various colleges in the United Kingdom, had a degree in law from the Middle Temple and worked as private secretary and then as special assistant to Sultan Saddiq Abubakar III.
“He had earlier worked for the BBC as a broadcaster. At various time he was Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa; chairman, Assessment Committee of the Nigeria National Merit Award, director, the Nigerian Industrial Development Bank, chairman, Union Bank of Nigeria, chairman, PZ Industries, among other top leadership positions during his long public service career that spanned several decades,” the group said.
ACF said Nigeria would undoubtedly miss Ambassador Malami’s extraordinary leadership skills, his generosity, his sense of justice and fair play.
“We send our deepest condolences to his family and the nation. It is our prayer that Allah, SWA, forgives his mistakes and grants mercy on his soul,” ACF prayed.
Similarly, Bida Old Students Association (BOSA) of Government College Bida in Niger State has expressed shock and sadness over the death of Malami, who was an old boy of the school
Malami attended Government College Bida in the early 1950s and in his condolence message, the national president of BOSA, Maj-Gen Abdulmalik Halidu Giwa (rtd) described the deceased as a fine diplomat, industrialist and a great traditional ruler who rendered selfless service to the society.
He said the late elder statesman’s humility, hard work and straightforwardness endeared him to many, as he was accessible to all manner of people irrespective of creed, religion or political affiliation.
Giwa said Malami would be remembered for his diplomatic acumen, philanthropy, fear of God and wise counsel to the growth and development of BOSA and Government College, Bida in particular.
He then prayed Allah to forgive the deceased his sins, grant him Aljanatu firdaus and the family, BOSA community as well as the people and government of Sokoto State, the courage to bear the irreparable loss.
