6 Jun 2025

As the Nation Mourns the Exit of Two Great Leaders I wish to join the families, friends, and associates of two foremost Nigerians - the former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mohammed Uwais (89), and the former Minister of Education and Petroleum, Professor Jibril Aminu (85) - in mourning their passing after such illustrious service to our fatherland. Justice Uwais was an outstanding jurist who upheld the rule of law and ensured that justice prevailed under his watch. Equally significant was his contribution to deepening our democracy through the renowned Uwais Report, which laid the groundwork for vital electoral reforms. In the same vein, Professor Aminu was a conscientious educationist who also served as President of OPEC. I admired his bold vision to bring education to the grassroots through the controversial nomadic education system, designed to reach herdsmen wherever they were. He was both futuristic and revolutionary in approach, and such a programme, had it been sustained, would have significantly improved access to education for pastoral communities. Professor Aminu was a man who saw tomorrow and understood the transformative power of mass education as a catalyst for national development. Nigeria needs more such visionary and committed leaders to confront the myriad challenges facing our country today. My condolences go to their families and to the governments of Kaduna and Adamawa States. I pray that Almighty Allah grants their souls eternal rest and gives their families the strength to bear this great loss. -PO