By Olugbenga Salami
Senator Danladi Sankara who represented Jigawa North-West in the 9th Senate has described the death of Second Republic minister, Senator Bello Maitama Yusuf as a great loss to the people of Jigawa State in particular and the nation in general.
The late Senator Yusuf died on Friday, October 13 in Kano at the age of 76.
In a condolence message issued on Saturday and made available to our correspondent in Abuja, Senator Sankara lamented that the passage of the deceased, who represented Jigawa South West Senatorial District from 1999 to 2007, came at a time when his wisdom and knowledge are mostly needed by the people.
He said: “I convey my sincere condolences to immediate family, the people and government of Jigawa State over the death of Senator Bello Maitama Yusuf.
“During his lifetime, he contributed immensely to the progress and development of Nigeria as a Minister and Senator.
“I pray to Allah to grant him Aljannat and his family the fortitude to bear this great loss.”
The late Senator, the statement disclosed, hailed from Gwaram in Jigawa State was born in April 1947.
He served as the Minister of Interior in October 1979 at the age of 32 in the government of late President Shehu Shagari, and later moved to the Ministry of Social Welfare, Youth, Sports and Culture in September 1981, and then to the Ministry of Commerce in February 1982.
The late Yusuf was also a two-time Senator and represented Jigawa South West Senatorial District from 1999 to 2007.
He has since been buried according to Islamic rites.
