By Ayo Fadimu & Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the family, friends and associates of a former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Sen. Jubril Martins-Kuye, praying God to comfort them.
The president, in a statement issued by his Spokesman, Mr Femi Adesina in Abuja on Sunday, condoled with the Ago-Iwoye community as well as the government and people of Ogun over the passing of the Third Republic senator.
He noted that Martins-Kuye also served in the Fourth Republic as Minister of State for Finance and Minister of Commerce and Industry, bringing with him many years of experience from the banking sector.
According to him, Martins-Kuye will be sorely missed for his insight on issues of development, particularly in tailoring budgets that reflect the needs of the people, with emphasis on full implementation.
Buhari prayed that the soul of the former minister would rest in peace.
Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has also described the passage of Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye, as a colossal national loss
Martins-Kuye was a founding member of the party and also the party’s candidate in the 1999 governorship election in Ogun state . He was also former Minister of Commerce and Industry and former Minister of State for Finance while the party was in power.
The party said the late politician was a highly courageous democrat and dedicated statesman, who sacrificed his time, energy and resources towards the stability and development of our nation.
“Senator Martins-Kuye was a thorough technocrat whose commitment and sense of duty as minister of commerce and industry as well as that of finance stood him out in service, particularly in championing landmark reforms to reposition the sectors.
“The contributions of Senator Martins-Kuye for the growth and development of our party remain indelible both in his home state, Ogun, and at the national level, where he played exceptional roles with other patriots in laying a solid foundation for our great party as well as the entrenchment of democracy in our nation.
“Our party commiserates with the Martins-Kuye family, the PDP fold in Ogun state as well as the people and government of Ogun state and pray that God comforts and grants us the fortitude to bear this loss.”
In similar vein, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ogun State Chapter, has expressed “deep sadness” over the demise of, Senator Martins Kuye describing his death as “the passing away of one of Ogun’s finest politicians.”
In a media statement issued in Abeokuta on Sunday and signed by the Publicity Secretary of Ogun APC Caretaker Committee, Tunde Oladunjoye, the late politician was described as an “uncommon bridge builder, patriot and a very humane, courteous and humble politician whose model was politics without bitterness”.
The statement said, “Either as federal minister or as Senator of the Federal Republic, Pa Martins Kuye gave a very good account of himself as an accessible community leader, grassroots mobilizer, moulder of people and builder of bridges. He was renowned for his propounded principle of “salt solution”, which abhorred sectarian tendencies within political party formation,” the statement added.
“While commiserating with the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and the people of Ogun State on the exit of this political titan, one of Ogun’s finest politicians, we pray that God will grant the deceased’s immediate and political family, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” the statement concluded.
Also, the Chairman, Ladi Adebutu Development Organisation, Hon. (Dr) Oladipupo Adebutu, has joined other eminent Nigerians to mourn the death of Sen Jubril Martins-Kuye describing his passage on Sunday as painful and irreparable loss.
In a condolence message signed by Afolabi Orekoya, the Media Consultant to Hon Oladipupo Adebutu, said that the former Minister of State for Finance was a great and peace loving man whose devotion to the progress of humanity was not only unquantifiable but legendary.
“Baba was a man of integrity who made highly indelible marks in his sojourn while on earth. He was steadfast in the economic betterment of humanity which endeared him to the downtrodden; a man of exemplary honour and leadership consistency.
“We are certain that JMK as he is fondly called will forever remain a pride to all and his contributions to the development of democracy in Nigeria will be fondly remembered,” the message reads.
Adebutu, also, stated that the untiring contribution of the former PDP leader to the growth, development and unification of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State are worthy of note and duly acknowledged.
He disclosed that the departure of the former Minister of the Federation would be felt most in the political circle across the length and breadth of the country.
Adebutu said JMK would also be remembered for his wonderful achievements at different times as Nigeria’s Minister of State for Finance, Minister of Finance and Minister of Commerce & Industry which were impactful as Nigeria witnessed tremendous growth economically.
While urging the Kuye’s family, friends, associates and the PDP family to accept the will of Allah, Adebutu prayed Allah to forgive baba his sins and grant him eternal rest.
The late Martins-Kuye, was born on Aug. 16, 1942, in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun. He was a senator in the Third Republic and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the state in 1999.
Martins-Kuye was appointed minister of state for finance in June 1999 during the first term of President Olusegun Obasanjo.
On April 6, 2010, Martins-Kuye was also appointed minister of commerce and industry by the then acting President Goodluck Jonathan.