The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Dr. Mutakka Rabe-Darma, has praised the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua for what he described as a lasting legacy of humility, integrity, and service-driven leadership.
The tribute was delivered during a commemorative lecture organised by the Students’ Union Government of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University, Katsina, to mark 16 years since the former president’s death on May 5, 2010.
The lecture, themed “Celebrating Leadership Excellence in Memory of Late President Yar’Adua,” brought together students, academics, government officials, and other stakeholders to reflect on his leadership style and values.
Rabe-Darma urged young Nigerians and future leaders to prioritise honesty, selflessness, and responsible use of public resources in governance.
He recalled his time as Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Katsina State during Yar’Adua’s tenure as governor, sharing an example of the former leader’s decision-making approach. According to him, a proposed official trip to the United States for sports development was cancelled after Yar’Adua suggested the funds be redirected to build classroom blocks for schools instead.
The minister said the decision reflected the late president’s consistent focus on public welfare over personal comfort or administrative convenience. He also noted that Yar’Adua’s contributions to education, including the establishment of the state-owned university, continue to benefit human capital development in the region.
Earlier, the President of the Students’ Union Government, Abubakar Ahmad, said the event was aimed at revisiting the values that defined Yar’Adua’s leadership, stressing that true leadership is measured by service, integrity, and principles rather than position or power.
Participants at the event collectively called on present and future leaders to emulate the late president’s modesty, accountability, and people-focused approach to governance.