Buhari writes a personal letter of condolence from London

President Muhammadu Buhari mourns the passing of Foremost northern leader, Alhaji Maitama Sule

The president in a letter of condolence described Alhaji Sule's death as a heavy loss

The former Nigerian minister, Alhaji Sule reportedly died this morning in a Cairo Hospital in Egypt

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a letter of condolence to the Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state over the death of elder statesman, Alhaji (Dr) Yusuf Maitama Sule.

NAIJ.com gathered that the letter which was signed personally by the president expressed profound shock over the death of Alhaji Sule, describing his passing as a "heavy loss."

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Publicity Garba Shehu on Monday, July 3. said the letter will be delivered by the federal government delegation to the burial as constituted by the Acting President.

Read the letter below:

"I have heard this morning, the death of the venerable Alhaji Maitama Sule, Dan Masanin Kano, and one of Nigeria's famous sons. Although, I knew he was in poor health for some time, his death nonetheless, came as a profound shock.

“As a Minister in the First Republic, he was one of those who assisted our Founding Fathers, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello and Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, to fashion Nigeria politically and lay the grounds of national co-existence.

"Maitama Sule was blessed by God with a wonderful voice and outstanding eloquence. He served with distinction in the First Republic, the Second Military regime, as well as the Second Republic, without him being tainted with the remotest hint of scandal.


“As a person, I found him personable with unceasing good humour. Nothing personified his faith more than the fact that on losing his sight, he did not retreat in himself sulking on account of his ill-fortune. Quite to the contrary, he honoured virtually all invitations extended to him and spoke as usual with singular eloquence and unparalleled wit.

"In my discussions with him, I greatly valued his counsel, and I never ceased to be amazed by his concern for the well-being of his country rather than his personal interests.

“Let me extend my sincere condolences to Your Excellency, family and friends, the Government and people of Kano, and Nigerians as a whole, for this most heavy loss. We shall not soon see the like of him. May God forgive his sins and admit him to Paradise, Amin."


Foremost northern leader and ex-Nigerian minister, Alhaji Maitama Sule died today, Monday, July 3.

Alhaji Sule reportedly died in a Cairo Hospital in Egypt according to several media reports.

The Kano state government on Monday July 3 declared tomorrow (Tuesday) July 4 public holiday to mourn the passing away of its illustrious son, Alhaji Maitama Sule, (Danmasanin Kano).