From Segun Ayinde, Abeokuta
Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo at the weekend expressed sadness over the deaths of two patriots Justice Muhammed Uwais and Prof. jubril Aminu.
Obasanjo, made this known in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, describing the late duo as patriots that distinguished themselves in their respective fields and served the country creditably.
In a condolence letters to the heads of Uwais and Aminu families respectively, Obasanjo noted that the demise of the eminent Jurist, Justice Uwais “marks the end of a glorious life spent largely in the judicial service of his fatherland, characterised by great learning, industry, and dedicated service.
To him, “Nigeria will certainly miss his exemplary leadership and commitment to the rule of law. It is our hope that the legacy he left behind will continue to be the guiding principles of the Judiciary so that together we can move Nigeria forward.
To Obasanjo,” Late Honourable Justice Uwais traversed the judicial landscape of Nigeria for about half a century out of which over 30 years were spent in the Supreme Court. He was the Chief Justice of Nigeria from May 29,1999 till when he retired from service on June 12, 2006 during which time I served as an elected civilian President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
“The return of democratic governance in our country in May 1999 with its emphasis on separation of powers between the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary was a major challenge to all of us at the time especially against the backdrop of military rule for almost two decades. I am, however, happy to say that under Justice Uwais leadership, the Judiciary was able to restore public confidence in the judicial process through the enthronement of the rule of law. In fact, the Constitution we had to work with was written and finalized by the judiciary with Justice Uwais having a critical role to play. And for the period we worked together, he epitomised the qualities of an eminent Jurist and Elder Statesman.
“His contributions to the development and dispensation of justice in the nation were no less impressive. As the Chief Justice of Nigeria, he served his nation and his faith with diligence, honesty and professional integrity – qualities which he also demonstrated in copious measure when he presided as Chairman of the Coalition of African Jurists and Electoral Reform Committee under President Umaru Musa YarAdua”.
“Even at his prime age and long after retirement, he never rested on his oars to continue to contribute to national development as a committed nationalist. I recall sometime in 2021, he, for the greater good of the nation, volunteered to be part of the Committee for Goodness of Nigeria ,CGN, which was convened by me along with His Eminence, Muhammad Saad Abubakar, His Eminence John Cardinal Onaiyekan and General Abdulsalami Abubakar to look, at the time, into the pressing issues of national unity, security, peace, integration, economic revitalization and development, women and youth welfare and general progress. He exhibited uncommon courage and commitment to progressive ideals in his contributions.”
“Obasanjo in a similar condolence letter to the late Prof. Aminu family, the former President remarked that he was, one of the nation’s most outstanding elder statesmen, “who had brought his unique knowledge and experience into the national progress, growth and development”.
“Professor Aminu had no doubt come a long way in his multi-faceted career as a scholar, medical cardiologist, policy analyst, administrator and as a diplomat
. It is instructive that his name, in the last five decades, has become something of a recurrent decimal in both national and international scenes. In particular, his long service to the fatherland in various capacities as a minister, ambassador and senator lend credence to this”.
“In the country’s history, Prof. Aminu held several positions in the academic environment where he distinguished himself as a renowned academic and scholar of no mean repute who made a mark in his field of Medicine. He later became the Federal Minister of Education and subsequently of Petroleum and Mineral Resources under the regime of General Ibrahim Babangida and, by all standard, he did his best. His example has been a major source of inspiration to many others who have come to see hard work, commitment and perseverance as key factors to success.
“It must also be acknowledged that under my administration as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria between 1999-2007, he served creditably well as the Nigerian Ambassador to the United States of America from 1999-2003. The good work he did in the country was a fitting complement to my administration’s painstaking efforts to re-make the international profile of our dear country”
“It is also worthy of note that Prof. Aminu acquitted himself as a peace-loving, unassuming and committed patriot. He was a firm believer in democracy and participatory governance. It was therefore not surprising that he was severally called upon to serve the nation, twice as a Senator representing Adamawa Central from 2003-2011. On each occasion, he left lasting footprints on the sands of time and built for himself an impressive profile of immense goodwill and affection among his people”.
“We commiserate with you, his family and the entire good people of Adamawa State and pray that God, in His mercy, will comfort you all. May God, in His mercy, grant him the reward of the faithful until we meet never to part again”, he added.
