By Boluwaji Obahopo LOKOJA
Chief Gabriel Aduku, 80, has been reported to have died in his Abuja house in the early hours of Monday, March 11, 2024.
Aduku who was the immediate past Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum, was also a former President of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA).
Chief Aduku was born on Thursday 3rd February 1944 in Anyigba, Dekina LGA of Kogi State to the family of Aduku Aguye Aga of the Ameh Ohiga clan.
Architect Gabriel Yakubu Aduku holds the Igala title of Amana Ogohi 1 by the Ata of Igala Kingdom.
Aduku was a foundation member of the Peoples Democratic Party and was credited for the designing of the party’s logo in 1998.
…Minister of Steel Development mourns
The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the entire Igala nation, Kogi indigenes, and family over the death of Chief Gabriel Adukwu, who passed away in the early hours of March 11.
Prince Audu, in his condolence message made available by his Special Assistant on Media, Lizzy Okoji, on Mondays in Abuja, stated that the Igala elder statesman was an icon that will be greatly missed by all.
Audu stated that the late Adukwu’s demise was a great loss not only to the people of Kogi State but to the nation at large, having served in several capacities at the national level, including as former Minister of Health (State), immediate past Chairman of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), amongst other portfolios.
He described the late Adukwu as a man of peace and a great intellectual who brought the “Igala Kingdom” to the top pedestal at the national level through his able representation. “He made us proud at every point he had the opportunity to serve,” Audu stated.
“It is with deep sadness that I received the news of the passing of our father and Elder Stateman, and former Minister of the Federal Republic, Chief Gabriel Adukwu.
“His commitment to service and nation building has set a remarkable precedent for people like myself and other illustrious sons of the Igala and Arewa kingdoms.
“Unfortunately, his call to answer Almighty Allah came at a time when we needed him the most to help foster love and unity among us as an Igala Nation, but we would continue to look up to him as an embodiment of peace for the development and progress of our land.
“My immense commiseration to his wife and my aunty, Mrs Lydia Aduku and the immediate family, as I admonish them to take solace in the fact that he lived a fulfilled life, with positive impacts on the lives of so many.
“May Almighty Allah, in his infinite mercies, grant the late Chief Gabriel Adukwu Aljannah Firdaus, as we use this period of Ramadan to pray for the repose of his soul,” Audu stated.