Former President Goodluck Jonathan has described Hajiya Dada Yar’adua, the mother of late former President Umaru Musa Yar’adua as a mother figure who contributed significantly to his life.
Jonathan paid the glowing tribute on the late Dada Yar’Adua during his condolence visit to the Yar’Adua family over the passing of their matriarch.
The former president who said he was deeply touched by her passing, recalled how her son, Umaru Yar’adua, chose him as his running mate, thereby introducing him to national politics.
Jonathan credited Hajiya Yar’adua for his rise to prominence, saying, “Without this lady in place, nobody would have known me. She has contributed significantly to my life, indirectly she made me who I am.”
He fondly remembered his frequent visits to her in Katsina, both for political and personal reasons, and described her as “my own mother.”
Jonathan expressed his sadness at her passing, saying, “I felt so sad. Allah knows the best, Allah will provide for all of us.”
According to him, “I return from Kigali yesterday, I decided to come down immediately with my friends to pay my condolences to the family. On behalf of my team, my family, community and state come to condole the Yar’Adua family.”