Umaru Musa Yar'adua - The rule of Law

Late Umaru was born in Katsina on the 16th day of August in 1951. His father was a former minister during the first republic.
Umaru graduated from Ahmadu Bello University in 1975 and married Turai the same year. He was a remarkable governor of Katsina state and later became Nigeria's President in 2007.

During his few years as a president, his achievements include;
1.The former Katsina State Governor initiated the Niger-Delta Amnesty Programme which saw hundreds of youth, particularly those that took arms against the state going abroad for studies and professional training.

2. Yar’Adua initiated the Abuja-Kaduna rail route which was commissioned by incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2016 and which the current administration enjoys the glory.

3.) He recommended the dredging of River Niger.

4.) Reversed some of ex-president Obasanjo’s decisions considered to be against the national interest such as the sale of three refineries.

5.) He released the N10 billion Lagos State local government councils’ funds withheld by Obasanjo.

6.) Under his watch, the courts regained their freedom. They handed down verdicts that cancelled political victories even though his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was the victim. Consider the Anambra state scenario when he ordered the immediate return of Peter Obi as governor at the removal of Andy Uba who won the controversial election in 2007.

7.) The late President completed 13 of major highway works he inherited from his predecessor.

8.) He was Nigeria’s first ever president to declare his assets. This is very remarkable.

Above all these, he was the first graduate to become Nigeria's President, thou Ernest Shonekan attended the University of London but he was an interim President. Umaru remains the first.

It is painful again to remember that he died on 5th May 2010.

Rest in Peace Umaru, I will always remember you and your legacies which include the famous slogan, ''rule of Law''.