Naija don lose one of her respected elder statesman. Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji, wey serve as Minister of Finance for General Ibrahim Babangida regime, don die. Family sources tell THISDAY say di elder statesman pass away for Abuja on Thursday. He be 87 years old.
According to Dikkon Sokoto, Alhaji Ya’u Dogon Daji, wey be relative, di late statesman don dey sick for almost one month. He first admit for Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) for Sokoto before dem transfer am to Alliance Hospital for Abuja where he finally die. Dogon Daji add say he talk to am two days before death and Alhaji tell am say he dey get better and hope to return to Sokoto soon. He also recall say di late statesman once tell am say he be 94 years old.
Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji start civil service for 1964. He rise through ranks inside Federal Ministry of Finance. He become Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Trade and later Ministry of Finance. For 1988, Babangida appoint am as Minister of State for Budget and Planning. Between 1990 and 1991, he serve as Minister of Finance. Later, from 1992 to 1996, he be Nigeria‘s High Commissioner to United Kingdom. He play key role for managing Nigeria relations with external creditors and negotiate Lome II Convention.
As Sardaunan Sokoto, he hold one of di most revered traditional titles for Sokoto Caliphate. Dem turban am for 1990, succeeding di late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello. He be bridge between government, traditional institution and di people.
Di late statesman be nephew and son-in-law of di late Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki. He marry di Sultan eldest daughter. He survive by wife, five children, grandchildren and other relatives. Among im children be Hajiya Aisha Abubakar, former Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, and Aminu Alhaji, former Special Adviser to former Sokoto State Governor Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
Funeral arrangements go announce according to Islamic rites. Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, expect to arrive for Sokoto ahead of funeral. Until death, Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji hold di title of Sardaunan Sokoto, historically associated with Sir Ahmadu Bello. His death mark end of long and distinguished career for Nigeria civil service, economic management, diplomacy and traditional leadership spanning more than five decades.
