President Muhammadu Buhari, has paid tribute to pioneer civil servant, great statesman and patriot, Alhaji Ahmed Joda, who died after a prolonged illness in his hometown, Yola, Adamawa.
Joda was the last surviving member of Governor Hassan Usman’s Northern Nigeria cabinet.
He was also at different times, chairman and board member of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Nigerian Communications Commission, Pastoral Resolve, SCOA Nigeria, Chagoury Group, Flour Mills of Nigeria, and the Nigerian LNG.
In a condolence message released by his Spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Friday, Buhari, highlighted Joda’s “monumental contributions to Nigeria’s unity and progress,” from birth of the nation until his death.
According to the president, Joda’s lofty ideals will continue to motivate millions across the nation.
“We will not forget his sacrifices,” he added.
He also noted that the late “Super Permanent Secretary” as Joda and some of his colleagues were referred to in the 70s, “distinguished himself as a remarkable scholar, journalist, intellectual, public servant and farmer.’’
President Buhari called Joda “a hero for all Nigerians” who, even in death, “will continue to inspire every generation to move forward with love, brotherhood and harmony.”
He prayed to Allah to accept his good deeds and grant fortitude to those he left behind in his family, Adamawa Emirate Council and entire people of the state, to bear the loss.
...Joda a great Nigerian - Atiku
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has described the death of former Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Ahmed Joda as “fall of an iroko”.
Abubakar in a statement personally signed by himself in Abuja on Friday described Joda as great Nigerian and first generation of Adamawa indigenes who made immense contribution to growth of the state and the country.
“Today, our beautiful Adamawa State has lost a colossus. Indeed, an iroko tree has fallen in Nigeria, particularly Northern Nigeria.
“The news of the death of Joda comes with some kind of a jolt even though he lived to a prime old age.
“He belonged to the first generation of Adamawa indigenes who put our state and the North in the map of modern Nigeria.
“His stature as an accomplished administrator was towering and colourful.
“He was a shining star in the galaxy of Nigeria’s public servants.
“Joda, with a few of his peers, wrote the rule book of Nigeria’s civil service and his footprints will remain indelible.
Abubakar prayed that the Almighty Allah accepts his soul and provides his family with fortitude to bear the loss of a forthright and iconic patriarch.
...Joda's death, a shock - Fintiri
Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa on his part, described the passage of the late Ahmed Joda, as a great shock and loss.
Fintiri expressed his condolence in a statement by his Press Secretary, Mr Humwhashi Wonosikou, on Friday, in Yola.
He said Joda was an experienced career public servant, an epitome of discipline and integrity.
“I received the news of the death of our father and grandfather with shock and sadness.
“This came at a time his wealth of experience and wisdom, were most needed.
“I am, however, consoled that he lived an exemplary life and left a legacy of selfless service to the community,” Fintiri said.
He noted that the death of Joda was a great loss not only for Adamawa but Nigeria as a whole.
The governor prayed for the repose of the soul of the deceased and for Almighty Allah to grant the family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear the loss.
“Joda was a father and statesman, who displayed genuine love to all and sundry,” Fintiri said.
Similarly, Mr Simon Yakubu, the District Head of Dugwaba in Hong Local Government Area, described Joda as a nationalist, who sacrificed his life for the unity of Nigeria.
“Nigeria has lost a great hero and a nationalist, who sacrificed all his life for the unity of the nation,” Yakubu said.
...End of an era - Abdulrazaq
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Speaking on the death, Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, described it as the “end of a great era”.
He described Joda as a patriot with sterling records of integrity and service to the nation.
The governor said the deceased was one of the best public administrators in post-independent Nigeria.
“He belonged to the generation of Nigerians, who gave their all to birth a greater country,” he said.
The governor said the deceased steered the telecommunications’ revolution in Nigeria as the NCC Chairman, adding that Joda would be celebrated as a great administrator, a disciplinarian and a patriot.
“I received the news of the death of Alhaji Ahmed Joda with equanimity. He lived a fulfilled life that was marked by excellent service to the fatherland.
“His death, though inevitable for mortals, came at a time our country would appreciate more of his wise counsel in welding a united country that works for all.
“His death is painful and a personal loss to me as one of his ‘adopted sons’ and protégé.
“I commiserate with President Muhammadu Buhari, the people and government of Adamawa and his immediate family.
“I pray Allah, exalted is He, to admit him to Al-jannah Firdaus and give the family the fortitude to bear this huge loss,” he said.
During the regime of General Yakubu Gowon, he was considered to be among a group known as super Permanent Secretaries.
Death of a great titan - Flour Mills
The Chairman, Board and Management of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc (FMN), described the passage of the elder statesman as the death of a great titan.
Mr John Coumantaros, Chairman of FMN, expressed his condolence in a statement on Saturday, in Lagos.
He said Joda, a giant of Nigeria’s industry, would be remembered as an accomplished public servant, a mentor and charismatic leader, with an unwavering commitment and indelible contributions to the development of his fatherland.
Coumantaros said that many Nigerians in this generation and those to come, would remain indebted to his remarkable legacies and stewardship.
He said Joda, was a former vice chairman and member of the FMN board of directors, from June 1978 to September 2012, adding that he was instrumental to the growth and success story of the group.
“We pray that God consoles his family and all others, who have been impacted by his demise.
"On behalf of the board of directors, management and staff of FMN, I express our profound condolences and grief to your family on the passing of your beloved father and patriarch, Joda, at a golden age.
“Joda was a visionary leader, teacher, statesman and father to many, including myself, who had the privilege of benefiting from his abundance of knowledge, during his lifetime.
"I will never forget his warmth and love toward my father, with whom he was close, ” Coumantaros said.
The chairman said he would most fondly remember him for his fatherly affection and counsel, which saw him through his formative years as a businessman in Nigeria.
He said their thoughts and prayers were with the family of the deceased during this difficult time.
“May the enduring presence and love of the Almighty, console, strengthen, and keep your family and may the soul of the departed , rest in peace, ” he said.
Joda was born in Yola in 1930, attended Yola Elementary School and Yola Middle School before proceeding to Barewa College from 1945 to 1948.
In the 1950s, he attended Pitman College, London, and gained practical experience in journalism while staying in Britain.
After completing his secondary education in 1948, Joda was admitted to Moor Plantation, Ibadan.
He worked briefly at an agricultural centre in Yola before entering the field of journalism at Gaskiya Corporation, Zaria.
He later worked for the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission serving as the editor of NBC Kaduna, then joined the Northern Nigeria civil service as Chief Information Officer and later permanent secretary in the regional Ministry of Information.
In 1967, he became a federal permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information and subsequently moved to Lagos.
He was the chairman of the transition committee in 1979 when General Obasanjo handed over to president Shagari. He was also the chairman of the 18-member transition committee, nominated by General Muhammadu Buhari to receive the hand over notes from the Goodluck Jonathan-led administration in 2015.
