JUST-IN: Ilorin Mourns As Nigeria’s Ex-Chief Of Staff Dies

Former Chief of Staff to President Olusegun Obasanjo and the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, General Mohammed Abdullahi, is dead.

Abdullahi, an illustrious son of Ilorin Emirate in Kwara State died in the early hours of Wednesday at the age of 86.

Although, there have been no official confirmation of Abdullahi’s demise, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhahi Ibrahim Sulu- Gambari has issued a condolence message on the development.

It was gathered that the late General will be buried at the National Cemetery in Abuja on Wednesday.

In his condolence message, Alh Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari expressed sadness over the demise of Gen. Abdullahi.

In a statement signed by his press secretary, Dr. Abdulazeez Arowona, the Emir noted that Abdullahi served Nigeria diligently in various capacities and extended opportunities to the less privileged in the society.

Sulu-Gambari described the former Chief of Staff as “a proud indigene of Ilorin Emirate and a distinguished Nigeria who used his positions, strength and wealth to protect and promote the heritage of Ilorin Emirate and humanity at large.”

“He was indeed a patriotic and detrabilised Nigerian whose contributions to national unity and development knows-no-bound,” Sulu-Gambari added.

The Emir extended his heartfelt sympathy to the immediate and extended family of the deceased, the governments of Kwara and Plateau states as well as the federal government.

He prayed the Almighty Allah to forgive Abdullahi, accept his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus.

Born in 1939, Abdullahi served Nigeria in various capacities, including, Chief of Staff to Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo (1999-2007) and Umaru Musa Yar’adua (2007-2008; National Security Adviser to General Abdulsalami Abubakar (1998-1999), Director General of the National Security Organisation (1976-1979) and Governor of Benue-Plateau State (July 1975-February 1976).