THE POLITICIAN COLOURED NOVEMBER 2013 | Page 118

President Yar’Adua Governed Katsina state for 8 years and his transformational leadership style was the catalyst for the vast economic growth which occurred during his tenure. He worked tirelessly to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Katsina, and earned his hereditary title of the Mutawalli of the Katsina Emirate, a prestigious title which once belonged to his late Father, a title which in English simply means “The custodian of the treasury”. On the 29th of May 2007 he was sworn in as the 13th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and immediately he went to work. Several months into his Presidency, the world experienced one of the worst economic crisis in history, and Nigeria was not exempt from the fall out. Our capital market went into a freefall and the Naira was shaken to its core. The banks were exposed and several of them were found wanting. Their CEO’s were removed, prosecuted and some were sent to Jail. It was a challenging time for the fragile Nigerian economy, but President Yar’Adua rose to the occasion and with the help of his very capable cabinet, he was able to save the Nigerian economy and currency from the economic abyss. Although his passing was a great loss to Nigeria, we are thankful to the Almighty God that we were able to experience (be it only for a short while) his incredible leadership style and his relentless efforts to keep the nation united. President Yar’Adua, though you’re no longer with us in the flesh, your spirit and the great works you accomplished in your life time continues to live on and Nigeria is a better country today because of your sacrificial and selfless service for the nation. Continue to rest in peace and know that even though you’re gone, you will never be forgotten. He was a selfless and a humble politician whose sole desire was to better the lives of all Nigerians irrespective of their religious dispositions or geopolitical origins. President Yar’Adua was born and raised as a Muslim, but he never allowed his religious beliefs to interfere with his politics because he understood that all Nigerians whether they’re Muslim, Christian, Traditionalists, Witches, Wizards, idolaters or any other belief are all human beings who require housing, healthcare, education and all other things nec102 essary for human existence.