From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja and Oladele Oguntimehin
SENATE P resident, D r. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and former vice president, Atiku Abubakar have condoled with the government and people of Sokoto State over the death of Alhaji Hamzat Ahmadu.
During his life time, Ahmadu was personal secretary to two former military Head of State – Generals Aguiyi Ironsi and Yakubu Gowon and also served as Nigeria’s Ambassador to United States of America, Germany, France and the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republic (USSR).
Saraki expressed grief over the death and described him as an accomplished diplomat and technocrat par excellence, Dogara also described Ahmadu’s death as a big loss not only to Sokoto State, but to Nigeria in general.
On his part, Atiku described the late Walin Sokoto “as an incontestably one of Nigeria’s most distinguished and vastly experienced diplomats that ever served the country.”
Dogara, in a statement issued by Mr. Turaki Hassan, Special Adviser on Media said Ahmadu, in his life time made valuable contributions to the development of Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives
as well as dedicated his life and time to the service of his country and people.
Saraki, in a condolence message signed on his behalf by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, t o t he g overnment and people of Sokoto State, immediate family and friends of the deceased, reminded them that death is an inevitable end of any mortal.
However, h e quickly reminded the bereaved family to take solace in the fact that the departed diplomat lived a selfless life.
Atiku, in a condolence message released by his media office described Ahmadu’s administrative career as ‘shinning, enviable and impressive’
Despite his pedigree, Atiku noted, the late diplomat demonstrated incredible humility in his conducts, disposition and interactions with people; high and low.