President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua (16 August 1951 – 5 May 2010), also known as Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'adua, was the President of Nigeria and the 13th Head of State. He served as governor of Katsina State in northern Nigeria from 29 May 1999 to 28 May 2007. He was declared the winner of the controversial Nigerian presidential election held on 21 April 2007, and was sworn in on 29 May 2007. He was a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP).

Early life

Yar'Adua was born into an aristocratic Fulani family in Katsina; his father, a former Minister for Lagos during the First Republic, held the royal title of Mutawalli (custodian of the treasury) of the Katsina Emirate, a title which Yar'Adua has inherited. He started his education at Rafukka Primary School in 1958, and moved to Dutsinma Boarding Primary School in 1962. He attended the Government College at Keffi from 1965 until 1969. In 1971 he received a Higher School Certificate from Barewa College. He attended Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria from 1972 to 1975, attaining a BSc in Education and Chemistry, and then returned in 1978 to achieve an M.Sc Degree in Analytical Chemistry.
Professional career

Yar'Adua's first employment was at Holy Child College in Lagos (1975–1976). He later served as a lecturer at the College of Arts, Science and Technology in Zaria, Kaduna State, between 1976 and 1979. In 1979 he began working as a lecturer at College of Art Science, remaining in this position until 1983, when he began working in the corporate sector.

He worked at Sambo Farms Ltd. in Funtua, Katsina State as its pioneer General Manager between 1983 and 1989. He served as a Board Member, Katsina State Farmers' Supply Company between 1984 and 1985, Member Governing Council of Katsina College of Arts, Science and Technology Zaria and Katsina Polytechnic between 1978 and 1983, Board Chairman of Katsina State Investment and Property Development Company (KIPDECO) between 1994 and 1996. Yar'Adua served as a director of many companies, including Habib Nigeria Bank Ltd. 1995–1999; Lodigiani Nigeria Ltd. 1987–1999, Hamada Holdings, 1983–1999; and Madara Ltd. Vom, Jos, 1987–1999. He was Chairman, Nation House Press Ltd., Kaduna, from 1995 to 1999.

Early political career

During the Second Republic (1979–1983), Yar'Adua was a member of the leftist People's Redemption Party, while his father was briefly the National Vice chairman of the National Party of Nigeria. During the Transition Programme of President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, Yar'Adua was one of the foundation members of the Peoples Front, a political association under the leadership of his elder brother, the late Major-General Shehu Musa Yar'Adua. That association later fused to form the Social Democratic Party. Yar'Adua was a member of the 1988 Constituent Assembly. He was a member of the party's National Caucus and the SDP State Secretary in Katsina and contested the 1991 Governorship election, but lost to Saidu Barda, the candidate of the National Republican Convention and an ally of Babangida. In 1999, he ran for the same position and won. He was re-elected in 2003. He was the first governor to publicly declare his assets.

In 2000, during his administration as governor, Katsina became the fifth northern Nigerian state to adopt sharia, or Islamic law. In 2002 Amina Lawal, a woman from Katsina, was sentenced to death by stoning by a sharia court in the town of Bakori for committing adultery; the story attracted international attention. Her sentence was at first upheld by a court in the town of Funtua, then overturned a year later following an appeal.

Presidential nomination

On 16–17 December 2006, Yar'Adua was chosen as the presidential candidate of the ruling PDP for the April 2007 election, receiving 3,024 votes from party delegates; his closest rival, Rochas Okorocha, received 372 votes. Yar'Adua's success in the primary was attributed to the support of incumbent President Olusegun Obasanjo; At the time of his nomination he was an obscure figure on the national stage, and has been described as a "puppet" of Obasanjo who could not have won the nomination under fair circumstances. Shortly after winning the nomination, Yar'Adua chose Goodluck Jonathan, governor of Bayelsa State, as his vice-presidential candidate.

Another view of the support he received from President Obasanjo is that he is one of few serving governors with a spotless record, devoid of any suspicions or charges of corruption. He also belongs to the People's Democratic Movement (PDM) - a powerful political block founded by his late brother, Shehu Musa Yar'Adua, who was also Obasanjo's vice president during his military rule.

In 2007 Yar'Adua, who suffers from a kidney condition, challenged his critics to a game of squash in an endeavor to end speculations about his health. On 6 March 2007 he was flown to Germany for medical reasons, further fomenting rumors about his health. His spokesperson said this was due to stress and quoted Yar'Adua as saying he was fine and would soon be back to campaigning. Another report, which was rejected by Yar'Adua's spokesperson, claims that Yar'Adua collapsed after suffering a possible heart attack.

Presidency

In the presidential election, held on 21 April 2007, Yar'Adua won with 70% of the vote (24.6 million votes) according to official results released on 23 April. The election was highly controversial. Strongly criticized by observers, as well as the two primary opposition candidates, Muhammadu Buhari of the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) and Atiku Abubakar of the Action Congress (AC), its results were largely rejected as having been rigged in Yar'Adua's favor.

After the election, Yar'Adua proposed a government of national unity. In late June 2007, two opposition parties, the ANPP and the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), agreed to join Yar'Adua's government. On 28 June 2007, Yar'Adua publicly revealed his declaration of assets from May (becoming the first Nigerian Leader to do so), according to which he had ₦856,452,892 (US$5.8 million) in assets, ₦19 million ($0.1 million) of which belonged to his wife. He also had ₦88,793,269.77 ($0.5 million) in liabilities. This disclosure, which fulfilled a pre-election promise he made, was intended to set an example for other Nigerian politicians and discourage corruption.

Yar'Adua's new cabinet was sworn in on 26 July 2007. It includes 39 ministers, including two for the ANPP.

Buhari and Abubakar filed petitions to have the results of the 2007 presidential election invalidated due to alleged fraud, but on 26 February 2008 a court rejected the petitions. Buhari and Abubakar said that they would appeal to the Supreme Court. Marred by corruption, many argued that this election was rigged by Obasanjo as well, as he wanted his successor to have the same basic ideals that he possessed as President.

Illness

President Yar’Adua left Nigeria on 23 November 2009, and was reported to be receiving treatment for pericarditis at a clinic in Saudi Arabia. He has not been seen in public since and his absence has created a dangerous power vacuum in Nigeria.

In December 2009 Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) stated that Yar'Adua, should have handed over to Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan in an acting capacity during his illness, a statement that was backed up by the NBA national executive committee. On January 22, 2010, the Supreme Court of Nigeria ruled that the Federal Ministries of Nigeria had 14 days to decide on a resolution about whether he "is incapable of discharging the functions of his office". The ruling also stated that the Federal Ministries should hear testimony of five doctors, one of whom should be Yar'Adua's personal physician.

On February 9, 2010, the Senate determined that presidential power should be transmitted to the Vice President Goodluck Jonathan. He will serve as Acting President, with all the accompanied powers, until Yar'Adua has returned to full health. The power transfer has been called a "coup without the word" by opposition lawyers and lawmakers. However, there are others that felt the power vacuum would lead to instability and a possible military takeover.

On February 24, 2010, Yar'Adua returned to Abuja. His state of health was unclear, but there was speculation that he was still on a life support machine. On May 5, 2010, it was reported that Yar'Adua had died at 9 P.M. local time at the Aso Rock presidential villa.

Marriage and family

Yar'Adua was married to Turai Umaru Yar'Adua from 1975 till his death in 2010; they had seven children (5 daughters and 2 sons). Their daughter Zainab is married to Kebbi State governor Usman Saidu Nasamu Dakingari. Their daughter Nafisat is married to Bauchi State governor Isa Yuguda. Yar'Adua was married to Hauwa Umar Radda as a second wife from 1992 to 1997. They have two children.

https://www.facebook.com/notes/wango-wango/obituary-umaru-musa-yaradua-president-of-the-republic-of-nigeria-16-august-1951-/114770758562169

Frankly speaking, one thing, one legacy I would want
to be remembered most for and I know it is very difficult
to achieve, but that I am determined to achieve it is the
establishment of respect for the rule of law -late Umaru Musa Yar'adua

It is really sad but that is all we have to say. His time has come and all of us mourn his death. I know him personally as the President and even when he was the governor. I saw what he has done and what are his plans and I think that he has good plan for Nigeria but it is unfortunately his health might have prevented him from achieving what he intended to achieve. It is sad that he is gone. We wish him good rest in the hands of the Lord. May his soul rest in perfect peace. “Gen Yakubu Gowon.

We are proud of his remarkable achievements during a lifetime of service to our nation,”Chief Ernest Shonekan.



I have known him since late 1980s when I met and became a friend and close political associate of his elder brother, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua. Over the years, the ties between my family and that of the Yar’Aduas have grown so strong that we have come to treat ourselves genuinely as brothers and sisters. Umaru was one of the closest state governors to me between 1999 and 2007 when he served as Katsina State Governor and I was Vice President of Nigeria, “former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

He's still the best President Nigeria ever had. A very transparent man.

The best President Nigeria ever had!!!
Good Men do not last because Angels are needed in Heaven.
RIP Sir, your good name lives on

the best president Nigeria had.

I will keep on repeating this YAR ADUA 5 MIN AS PRESIDENT, is better than GEJ 5 month as president.

GEJ is a lucky failure

On Turai “As far as I know, my wife is never a part of any decision making in my administration. This is not the first time I have been in government. I had been a governor in Katsina State for 8 years, she never interfered in my duties.” “Sometimes, the type of publications I see outside amaze me. I respect my wife and the reason why I respect her is that she never interferes and you can find out from ministers or anybody if she has ever talked to anybody among them on anything that is official

The nation would greatly miss an honest and committed democrat; a God-fearing leader and a great patriot who believed in justice and did all within his power to move Nigeria to where it ought to be. He was detribalized, forthright and a strong believer in the rule of law. We mourn him deeply and pray the almighty God to grant his gentle soul eternal rest.” -Chief Godswill Akpabio, Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

RIP our ex-President...

If you were alive, Nigeria would have been better than the way your deputy and now President has kept it.

Really missed your 7-point agenda to rescue the nation from the claws of underdevelopment.

Buhari shall revitalize these plans and take us forward, pray for Nigeria wherever you are sir..God Bless Nigeria

sannirules:
He's still the best President Nigeria ever had. A very transparent man.

A more transparent Man!!!

The man really meant well for the country. Perhaps with him as president for eight straight years, Nigeria would have recorded better performance than what we did.

May you continue to rest in peace, Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.

Rest in peace our respectable ex-president. President UMAR MUSA YARADUA THE best leader Nigeria ever had we realy miss u sir

To me he was an honest man who mean't well for d country.
Imagine a man admitting that election that took him to power was not really credible and fair.
May Allah forgive and grant him Al-janaat

To me he was an honest man who mean't well for d country.
Imagine a man admitting that election that took him to power was not really credible and fair.
May Allah forgive him and grant him Al-janaat

Samuel1402:
Rest in peace our respectable ex-president. President UMAR MUSA YARADUA THE best leader Nigeria ever had we realy miss u sir

,,

May Allah admit him to His paradise.He is a Muslim, some nuisance will will be talking as if a Muslims has never done anything good in the nation.I still repeat it that the best we can have in this country will surely come from a Muslim because he will understand that leadership is a trust (Hamana)What has the person he handed over to offered Nigeria?Quote me wrongly and let God punish you in a hard way.

I know before this thread ends,one "were" must hate change and love transformation. Whomever hate change will never change for better and whomever never mind the form of transformation might transformed from good to bad.

our best president yet.

Our best President in history. Yaradu's tenure wasn't perfect but it was peaceful and sincere. Corruption didn't eat into his government the way corruption is killing Nigeria now under GEJ. Fuel was 65naira and the cost of living was not that high. If a sick man could govern better than a healthy GEJ, then I wonder what an Old man would do compared to GEJ.

He was a good man.

Better people nor dey last!

k

In baba voice.....Umaa ru, ope u r restin in peace......Adieu

.

RIP our hero

The best president Nigeria barely had.

RIP sir!

R.i.P sir.

GMB my hero... Fashola my mentor

I LOVE change!

Iku doro

Ehya...