Former President Goodluck Jonathan has extended his condolences to the family of late Alhaji Maitama Sule as well as the government and people of Kano State, on the passage of Dan Masanin Kano who died yesterday, at the age of 87 years.

In a statement by his spokesperson, Ikechukwu Eze, Jonathan described Sule as a bridge builder and advocate of peaceful co-existence who worked relentlessly for Nigeria’s development.

“I am deeply saddened by Sule’s passage. He was an accomplished leader, diplomat and elder statesman who served Nigeria and Africa in different capacities, to the best of his ability. I remember him as a great leader who worked relentlessly for Nigeria’s development.

“He functioned as a reliable navigator in difficult times, both at home and abroad, especially his commitment towards dismantling the last vestiges of apartheid.

“He will always be remembered as a bridge builder and advocate of peaceful co-existence.

“One of his numerous axioms which I continue to recall was the astute admonition he made while giving a convocation lecture at the University of Port Harcourt, in 2006, where he said ‘young breed without the old breed will breed greed.’

“He lived a long and rewarding life and will be greatly missed. May the Almighty grant him al Jannah Firdaus.”

In his own tribute, former Vice President, Abubakar Atiku, in a statement from his Media Office, in Abuja, said the deceased was one of Nigeria’s greatest and most remarkable politicians whose vast experience, knowledge and wisdom are invaluable and immeasurable.

“The late Maitama Sule was an epitome of selfless service to the people. Politicians of his generation were dedicated to service with integrity and other qualities that have significantly eroded since the end of the First Republic.”

Atiku also described Sule as “a walking encyclopaedia of knowledge who had dedicated his entire life to the promotion of peace, unity, peaceful coexistence, tolerance and good governance, and stressed that his only wealth was his integrity, because the accumulation of wealth was never his preoccupation throughout his public service record.

The former vice president extended his condolences to the government, the family and the people of Kano State “on the death of this illustrious and remarkable politician,” said Atiku.