The passage of General Ahmed Abdullahi Aboki

Iam deeply saddened by the passing of my treasured friend, General Ahmed Abdullahi Aboki. He will forever occupy a pride of place in the development and growth of our nation. His contributions to his nation as an officer and a gentleman will remain imperishable. His nonregimental postings as the military administrator of Kwara State and later as a minister of the federal republic are equally noble and important.

Ahmed led a distinguished career in the Nigerian Army and was a passionate patriot, devoted to duty and country.

Earlier in our military career, Ahmed and myself served together at the Onitsha warfront where we deepened our friendship and martial comradeship in the cause of protecting our nation.

I vividly remember his last days in the army. During a particular visit to my office when I was the minister of communications, Ahmed observed prophetically: “Gasper, now that I am being pushed out, I suspect that you will be the next”. His words were both a friendly warning and eventually, a self-fulfilling prophecy.

However, Ahmed’s early retirement from the Nigerian Army - an event driven by political intrigues and power plays - did not detract from his years of meritorious military service or preclude his contributions to national development as the minister of communications, social development, and youth and sports. Indeed, his devotion to national service was unfaltering, resolved and true.

While words cannot begin to capture the pain of losing a bosom friend, I must now believe that he is in a better place.

Adieu Ahmed. May The Almighty Allah accept your soul and watch over you in Aljannah Fridaus.

Maj-General Tajudeen Olanrewaju (rtd), former GOC Third Armoured Division, Jos.