The matriarch of the Yar’Adua's family, Hajiya Dada touched the lives of many Nigerians through her charity works especially in the North.
She died on Monday evening, September 2, 2004, at the age of 102.
Dada, who is the mother of former president of Nigeria, late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua passed away at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina after a brief illness.
Aside the late president, Dada was also the mother of late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and the current Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua.
She was buried in Katsina on Tuesday, September 3, in accordance with Islamic rites. Her husband was also a politician, administrator and Minister of Lagos Affairs during Nigeria’s First Republic.
Since in the 60's Hajiya Dada became an influential figure in Nigeria’s polity, as many aspiring politicians sought her advice before venturing into politics.
The matriarch died exactly 14 years after the passing of former president Yar’Adua and 27 years after the death of her eldest son, Shehu Yar’Adua.
Yar’Adua died on May 5, 2010, at the age of 58 years, while Shehu died on December 8, 1997, at the age of 54 years.
Despite the death of her two prominent sons, Hajiya Dada remained resolute and ensured that her remaining children were nurtured and grounded in Islamic doctrine.
As a disciplinarian, Hajiya Dada’s strongest points were honesty, humility, integrity, kindness and above all, her humanitarian services while on earth.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajuddeen Abbas, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, were among dignitaries, who attended her funeral prayer in Katsina.
The prayer, led by Sheikh Aminu Yammawa, was held at the old Katsina Stadium, near the Yar’Adua family residence.
Other notable personalities that attended the funeral were former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi; former Vice President; Namadi Sambo and members of the National Assembly.
The Emirs of Katsina and Daura, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir-Usman and Alhaji Umar Farouk respectively paid their last respects to the deceased.
Vice President Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu prayed that Allah should grant Hajiya Dada Al-jannah Firdaus.
Her remains were committed to mother earth at the Danmarna graveyard, alongside her husband, the late Musa Yar’Adua, and her son, Gen. Shehu Musa-Yar’Adua and the former President, Umaru Yar’Adua.
Hajiya Dada would be remembered for her contributions in shaping Nigeria’s polity and the strong ethical values she inculcated in her children and those that crossed her path.
Leaving behind many grand children, the late matriarch's motherly role in the Yar’Adua's family and beyond will never be forgotten in a hurry.
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