Northern elders mourn Adebanjo, Clark, praises their legacy

From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF), on Sunday, expressed deep sorrow over the passing of two revered elder statesmen, Pa Ayo Adebanjo and Chief Edwin Clark, describing their deaths as a significant loss to the nation.

NEF extended its heartfelt condolences to their families and joined countless mourners across the nation in this solemn moment of grief, offering prayers to God Almighty for the peaceful repose of their souls.

In a statement, NEF Convener, Professor Ango Abdullahi, conveyed the forum’s condolences to the families of the deceased and the nation at large, acknowledging the invaluable roles the two leaders played in shaping Nigeria’s political landscape.

Abdullahi said: “The loss of these illustrious leaders at this critical stage of our national development will certainly leave a huge vacuum, which would be difficult to fill.

“Their separate but inseparable lives were a living testament to their unmatched dedication to the respective geopolitical zones they hailed from and the ethnic nationalities they belonged to, for which the duo became tireless advocates and unrelenting crusaders.”

Professor Abdullahi noted that despite regional differences, both leaders worked closely with NEF and engaged in patriotic dialogues aimed at fostering national unity.

He recalled their unwavering commitment to building strong bridges of cooperation and understanding between Nigeria’s diverse regions.

He added: “On such occasions, the exchanges were characterized by mutual respect, cordiality, and warm affection. These few encounters left a lasting impression of the seriousness, dedication, and wisdom exuded by these iconic leaders.

“This partly explains the reason for the high esteem with which the leaders of the two regional organizations have managed to maintain envious civility and rare rapprochement in addressing contentious national issues.

“Without doubt, the departure of these political giants foreshadows the sombre condition in which our dear country is now getting deeply enmeshed.

“But, fortunately for Nigeria and Nigerians, the enormous sacrifices and the many exemplary contributions made by these two notable personalities will continue to serve as an inexhaustible armoury in equipping future generations to soar from one epochal triumph to another.”

The NEF prayed for the repose of their souls and called on Nigerians to uphold the values of unity, patriotism, and selfless service that Pa Ayo Adebanjo and Chief Edwin Clark stood for.