By Joseph Edegbo and Innocent Idajili
The United Nations Deputy Secretary General, Amina Mohammed says the remarkable tenacity, service to his fatherland and dedication by Chief Gabriel Yakubu Aduku have left an indelible mark on the country and beyond.
In a tribute to the late Elder Statesman, Amina Mohammed said as One of the earliest architects to emerge from Northern Nigeria, Chief Aduku’s architectural prowess reshaped skylines and redefined urban landscapes
She also noted that Chief Aduku’s leadership, especially during his tenure as Minister of State for Health, inspired hope and progress in public health initiatives.
“His visions, leadership and tireless advocacy for the dredging of the Rivers Niger and Benue would not only improve transportation and access to resources but would also promote economic growth and development in the North”.
The United Nations Deputy Scribe therefore enjoined all and sundry to celebrate Aduku’s enduring legacy and the positive change he has brought about through his architecture advocacy and philanthropy.
On his part, former Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo said the Late Sage was a bridge builder and indeed a great lover of peace and peaceful coexistence considering his commitment to the nation through his enviable strides in urban development.
From Obong Victor Attah, former governor of Akwa-Ibom State who chronicled Aduku’s attributes, said the Late Elder statesman’s passing, was disconnecting, very devastating that they, as architects at these troubling times for their noble profession, should lose One of their finest.
Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, in his tribute said more than anything else, Chief Aduku would be remembered for laying the solid foundation in the architectural profession in the country and beyond.
Former Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State in the tribute to his son in-law said the death of his in-law was received with great shock, sadness and deep sense of loss.
Senator Oshiomhole noted that beyond his accomplishments as a renowned architect, Aduku’s leadership prowess earned him a highly sought after managerial guru.
“His humility, humaness and calm demeanor endured him to many people in political, ethnic and professional circles during his very impressive career in public and private practice”, Oshiomhole said.
And from the Coordinating Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate said as a former Minister of State for Health who served the nation faithfully, his contributions, dedication and excellence to improving health care in the Nigerian health sector, was exemplary and worthy of emulation by all and sundry.
“No doubt the nation has lost a Patriot,” Pate said.
The Attah Igala, His Royal Majesty, Agabaidu Matthew Alaji Opaluwa Oguche Akpa said they have lost a rare gem, an icon and a statesman who has had a sterling record of service in his professional calling (architecture) that took him to the zenith of the profession with many landmark projects bearing his signature across the length and breath of Nigeria.
His Royal Majesty noted that while on this planet earth, Chief Aduku had contributed in no small measure towards the unity, progress and development of Igala Kingdom, Kogi State, Northern Nigeria and Nigeria as a whole .
‘We shall all miss his wise counsel, particularly at this critical period of our national development. May God Almighty comfort us all”, HRM concludes.
Late Arc (Chief) Gabriel Aduku, the Amana Ogohi 1 Ata- Igala, who died on 10th March, 2024 in the US, was laid to rest in his country home, Anyigba, Kogi State on April 20th 2023 after a funeral service at the Chapel of Restoration, Prince Abubakar Audu, University, Anyigba.
A Service of Songs was earlier held on the 17th April for him at United Evangelical Church (UEC) , Utako, Abuja where he had been worshipping.
All the funeral activities which witnessed assemblage of who is who were used by various individual personalities and corporate organisations to eulogize a man who had been acknowledged to have contributed so much to the development of the country, Kogi State and lgala land.
with promises to immortalize the great icon.
Funeral service at the Chapel of Restoration
ln his exhortation at the funeral service, Rev. Chris Effiong of the United Evangelical Church, said the demise of Arc (Chief) Gabriel Yakubu Aduku was a great loss to the nation, Kogi State and lgala land.
The clergyman who took his message from the Book of Luke chapter 16 vs 19, said the same God that had raised Lazarus from the death would raise someone like Chief Aduku for the people.
He urged those who were blessed to allow their blessings to benefit others. “Never should it be on your own accounts that the people should cry, nor suffer, saying Chief Aduku talked less but had much impact.
Paying glowing tributes to the man who really deserved it, the Nigerian Institute of Architects, led by its President, Arc Mobolaji A. Adeniyi, said the 50 years of Arc(Chief) G.Y. Aduku’s selfless service to the institute, had mentored thousands of architects around the world, who he said before his demise, as Chairman of the Institute’s Board of Trustees, was deeply involved in the search for harmony and unity within the profession.
Similarly, the Kogi East Elders Forum, disclosed that the legacies left behind by the elder statesman, would be pursued to logical conclusion, while the acclaimed winner of Nov.11, 2023 governorship election in the state, Alhaji Murtala Ajaka, whose team led by a renowned politician,Yakubu Enape to the event said Chief G.Y. Aduku had paid sacrifice for peace and vowed that the incoming administration would immortalize his name.
Former governors of Kogi and Edo States, Idris Wada and Adams Oshiomhole, senators, former top Goverment functionaries, legal luminaries were on hand to pray and wish the Amana Ogohi 1 Ata-Igala an eternal rest.
Also in attendance, were traditional rulers, lgala organisations in the diaspora, professional bodies in the building industry, a delegation of the Igala community Kaduna where Chief Aduku spent most of life time and the organized labour including ASUU.
