Former Katsina military gov Yahaya Madaki is dead

A former military governor of Katsina State, Colonel John Yahaya Madaki, is dead.

Madaki who was governor from December 1989 to January 1992, was born in Gawu Babangida in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State.

By the 1985 coup following which General Ibrahim Babangida came to power, Major John Madaki was commanding officer of the 123 Guards Battalion at Ikeja, and assisted in the success of the coup.

Madaki was promoted to Lt. colonel and military governor of Katsina State in December 1989. He handed over to the elected civilian governor Saidu Barda in January 1992 at the start of the Third Republic.

After handing over to the civilian governor in January 1992, Madaki returned for two more tours of duty as Commander, Brigade of Guards before retiring as a colonel.

Madaki is an influential member of the Catholic Church and was a holder of the Order of St. Gregory (KSG) awarded by the Pope in 2009.

Madaki was appointed Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission in May 2001.

In a condolence message yesterday, the Katsina state Governor, Aminu Masari, expressed sadness over the Yahaya Madaki’s death, saying that his loss would reverberate beyond his military constituency.

Masari in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media, Abdu Labaran Malumfashi, described late Colonel Madaki’s as a gallant officer and gentleman who was totally committed to the military institution and any duty assigned to him.