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Kaduna ex-military governor, Mouktar Mohammed, dies in UK

By Saxone Akhaine and Murtala Adewale, Kano
03 October 2017   |   3:27 am
The military governor of old Kaduna State, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Mouktar Mohammed, has died at 73 in a London hospital, United Kingdom.The retired Air Force chief, who served the late Murtala Ramat Muhammed-Olusegun Obasanjo military junta, died on Sunday....

The military governor of old Kaduna State, Air Vice Marshal (AVM) Mouktar Mohammed, has died at 73 in a London hospital, United Kingdom.The retired Air Force chief, who served the late Murtala Ramat Muhammed-Olusegun Obasanjo military junta, died on Sunday, following a protracted illness.His younger brother and Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Korea, Alhaji Aminu Dalhatu, who broke the news yesterday in Kaduna, said arrangement to bring back the body for burial had begun.

The late Mohammed joined the Nigerian Air Force in 1963 where he rose through the ranks.During his service years, he was appointed member of the highest decision-making organ of the ruling military regime, the Supreme Military Council, in 1975.

He was also chairman, National Cash Crops Rehabilitation Projects in 1975, Federal Minister of Housing, Urban Development and Environment in 1976 prior to his appointment as military administrator in 1977.

Until his death, the retired AVM (Major-General equivalent) was board chairman of Freedom Radio and Pro-Chancellor/Chairman, Governing Council of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.He is survived by a wife, many children and relatives.

However, Governor Nasir El-Rufai has described the late general as an accomplished patriot.In a statement by his media aide, Samuel Aruwan, the governor said: “I received with sadness, but with total submission to the will of Allah, the news of AVM Mouktar Mohammed’s death.“He was our military governor who worked diligently for the peace and harmony of our dear state. He was also an accomplished patriot who served patriotically in the military.”

El-Rufai went on: “On behalf of the government and people of Kaduna State, we extend our heart-felt condolences to his immediate family, friends and associates. And May Allah grant his soul Aljanna Firdausi.”

Also yesterday, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) mourned the late administrator, who was a foundation member and deputy chairman of its Board of Trustees (BOT), describing him as a highly respected and principled officer and a gentleman who stood for justice, fairness and equity.

A statement by the forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Mohammad Ibrahim Biu, regarded the erstwhile chairman of Freedom Radio, Kano as a man who never toyed with due diligence even after his active years in the military.

The document reads: “He was a highly respected and principled Air Force officer and a gentleman who stood for justice, fairness and equity. His eloquence and due diligence while in the military and even in retirement placed him above his equals.”

Biu stated that the late Wazirin Dutse would be remembered for “his commitment to the values of liberty, accountability and humility in service.”He continued: “His role and commitment to Buhari’s campaign for the presidency from 2002 to 2015 were legendary. The north, and indeed Nigeria, have lost an illustrious and patriotic son who worked and died for the country and unity of the region in particular.”

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