Jonathan, Sambo, IBB, Atiku, Others Honour Saleh Jambo At Burial
Notable politician and businessman Alhaji Saleh Jambo is dead. The former presidential aspirant and national chairman of the United Nigeria Democratic Party (UNDP) died yesterday morning at a private hospital in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He was 76 years old. He is survived by his mother and eight children.
He was buried at the Gudu Cemetery, Abuja, according to Islamic rites. LEADERSHIP Sunday learnt that the ceremony was attended by Vice President Namadi Sambo, former military president Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, former vice president Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Alilu Akilu, Chief Jim Nwobodo and other eminent Nigerians.
Before his death, Jambo, who hailed from Bukuru in Jos South local government area of Plateau State, allegedly directed that he should be buried in any place where he died. This order informed his burial in Abuja by the family.
The late Jambo, a detrabilised Nigerian, spoke all the major languages in the country.
In a reaction to his death, President Goodluck Jonathan said that he received with sadness the news of the death of Jambo in Abuja.
In a statement by presidential spokesman Dr Reuben Abati, Jonathan prayed Almighty Allah to receive Jambo's soul and grant him eternal rest.
He said: 'On behalf of myself, the federal government and the people of Nigeria, I extend sincere condolences to Alhaji Saleh Jambo's family as well as his friends, colleagues and political associates across the country.
'I join them in mourning the very distinguished entrepreneur and political leader who made significant contributions to the economic and political development of his community and the country.'
Babangida, who delayed his trip to Sapele, Delta State, yesterday to attend the burial of Saleh, according to one of his aides, said the demise of the renowned politician and businessman was a great loss to him and the country.
He said the deceased, who was very close to him, contributed a lot to the growth and development of every place he lived, adding that Jambo's death had created a vacuum that would be difficult to be filled by anyone. The former military president prayed Allah to grant him eternal rest.
Also, former presidential aspirant on the platform of the National Republican Convention (NRC) Dr Lema Jibrilu described the death of Jambo as a great loss to the country.
According to the elder statesman, the late Jambo was a good Nigerian and 'the degree of pains over his death is indescribable and very saddening, although he has been sick for a long time now, but his death is rather painful'. Jibrilu prayed God to grant the entire family, his home state and Nigeria the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Bashir Tofa misses Jambo so much
Similarly, former presidential candidate of the NRC Alhaji Bashir Tofa has described Jambo as a 'friend of everybody, who was still smiling even on his hospital bed'. He said Jambo knew his illness was terminal, yet he was always full of joy and grateful to his Creator for a life well lived.
He said the late business mogul was a rare Nigerian who spoke Igbo and Yoruba languages like the natives, adding that 'he was a musician by hobby, and if he had chosen that as a career, he would have been applauded internationally'.