Vice President Kashim Shettima yesterday led prominent politicians and other Nigerians to the funeral of the late Hajiya Aya Dada Yar'adua, mother of late President Umaru Musa Yar'adua.
Daily Trust correspondent reports that the funeral prayer, which began around 1:50pm, was led by Sheikh Aminu Yammawa at the Katsina Township Stadium. Her remains were later buried at the revered Danmarna Cemetery where her husband, Matawalle Musa Yar'adua and her two prominent sons, Shehu Musa and Umaru Musa were also buried.
Her grave was located immediately to the north of that of late Umaru Musa and adjacent to that of Shehu Musa.
Personalities at the funeral also included former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi and his running, Datti Baba Ahmad, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajuddeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin and National Security adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
Also in attendance were Katsina State governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, former governors of Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara, Shema, Adamu Alero, Waziri Tambuwal and Abdulaziz Yari, respectively and business mogul, Alhaji Dahiru Barau Mangal.
Speaking to the press shortly after the funeral prayer, Vice President Shettima described the death of Dada as a colossal loss not only to Katsina State but the country.
"She was a byword for resilience, for wisdom and sense of character. She knew the calling of her kids but that did not deter her from opening her doors to all and sundry. May Allah grant her Jannah and give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
"We are here at the instance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to commiserate with the governor, the government and the people of Katsina State and Nigeria as a whole over the loss of the matriarch, a colossus and iconic woman of substance," the VP has said.
Katsina State governor, Mallam Dikko Umaru Radda, expressed profound sorrow at the loss and praised Hajiya Dada for her exemplary life and contributions to the community.
He urged the family to take solace in Hajiya Dada's remarkable legacy and continue her good works in service to humanity.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Barau I. Jibrin, who led other senators to Katsina for the funeral prayed to Almighty Allah to forgive her shortcomings and admit her to Jannatul Firdausi.
"Hajiya Dada was a devout Muslim who dedicated her life to the service of Allah and humanity. May Allah SWT grant Hajiya Jannatul Firdausi.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army and Chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar'Adua and all other persons she left behind. May Allah give them the strength to bear this irreparable loss," he said.
Business mogul, Alhaji Dahiru Mangal, who is a relative of the deceased, described Hajiya Dada as a great woman who lived an exemplary life.
"Looking at the way her children lived their lives will tell you the kind of person Hajiya Dada was. We pray to Allah to grant her Al-jannah Firdausi," he said.
A resident of Yar'adua Quarters, Kabir Umar, described the late Hajiya Dada as "a mother to all" who treated everyone with kindness.
He said she would be greatly missed as she was a strong pillar upon whom many have leaned.
Dada was a generous mother - Son
Her youngest son, Suleiman Musa Yar'adua, described his mother as generous and a disciplined woman.
"She brought us up well. She always admonished us to be honest and trustworthy in our dealings wherever we found ourselves. She was a woman not bothered by worldly things, and that is why despite her longevity, she did not suffer from such ailments as high blood pressure.
"We thank God for her life and we thank all those who stand with us in this trying moment and we thank all for their prayers," he said.
During Dada's lifetime, Yar'Adua Quarters in the ancient city of Katsina has seen many prominent people who visited her to pay their respects.
Dada held a unique position in the political arena of Nigeria. She was the wife and mother to political heavyweights who played key roles in Nigeria's politics from independence to date.
She was the wife of Musa Yar'Adua, Mutawallen Katsina and Minister of Lagos Affairs in the First Republic. She was also the mother of Shehu Musa Yar'Adua, the second in command in the Obasanjo-led military regime and Umar Musa Yar'Adua a former president of Nigeria.
Hajiya Dada was also the mother of Col. Abdulaziz Musa Yar'Adua, the current Mutawallen Katsina and Senator representing Katsina Central senatorial District. Also, one of her grandchildren, Murtala Shehu Musa Yar'Adua, was a former minister under the Goodluck Jonathan administration.
She also has three granddaughters who are married to prominent politicians in the country.
Thus, over the years, the house has become a must-visit for political gladiators who came to the state capital for political activities. During the build-up to the 2023 general elections, the centenarian had played host to more than six presidential aspirants from the two major political parties who were in the state to seek the endorsement of their respective parties' delegates.
Among those who have visited her were President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (then a contestant), former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi.
While in partial agreement with the suggestion that most of the visits were political, some of the family members who spoke with Daily Trust said for them they were much more than that.
Tinubu, others mourn
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commiserated with the Yar'Adua family over the passing of Hajiya Dada Yar'adua.
The president also extolled her legacy of compassion, faith, honesty and good fellowship, which she was known for while alive.
Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement, said President Tinubu also "Extends his condolences to Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar'Adua, the people of Katsina State, and to the many lives the late matriarch touched."
In his condolence message, former Senate President Bukola Saraki said Dada was a true matriarch.
"Her warmth, grace and compassion were boundless, extending to all who had the privilege of knowing her."
Similarly, the Northern Governors' Forum described the late Dada as "a rare gem".
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In his message of condolence on behalf of the 19 northern governors, the chairman of the forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, said the late Dada's remarkable legacy is deeply etched in the history of Nigeria.
He said her life was a typical example of resilience, wisdom and a nurturing spirit that greatly influenced those around her.
Governor Yahaya prayed that her enduring legacy will continue to inspire future generations of Nigerians to serve their country with dedication and integrity, just as her children have done.
In his message, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in last year's elections, Peter Obi, expressed sadness over the death of Hajiya Dada.
"Hajiya Dada was a great woman who raised her children well for the exemplary leadership role they played in the political trajectory of our dear country. Her love for the nation was visibly manifested in her firm support for her beloved son, late President Yar'adua, in his patriotic desire to reposition the nation based on unity, peace and progress, and then deliver good governance.
"Hajiya Dada will be remembered for her dedication to her religious faith," he said on his X handle.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, on Tuesday, described the death as a sad development.
Abbas said the late Hajiya Dada would be sorely missed and recalled the motherly role she played in the lives of many Nigerians, not just her biological children, noting that she lived a life worthy of emulation.
