Former Minister Bello Maitama Dies At 76

Senator Bello Maitama Sule (Sardaunan Dutse), a former minister of commerce and two-time senator, passed away at the age of 76 after a brief illness early on Friday in Kano State.

The esteemed Islamic scholar held the positions of Minister of Commerce from 1982 to 1983 and Minister of Interior from 1980 to 1982. In the National Assembly, he served as a senator for Jigawa South-West from 1999 to 2007 on behalf of the departed All People’s Party (APP).

Along with politics, he was a well-known traditional title holder. He presided over the Jigawa State Delegates during the National Constitutional Delegates Conference.

He will be buried on Friday in Kano following the Juma’at prayers, said a family source.

At the same time, the Jigawa State administration has verified his passing through Mallam Hamisu Muhammad Gumel, Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor, who referred to it as a tragic and enormous loss for not only his family and Jigawa State alone but for the entire country.

 “Bello was a lawyer, a politician, a well knowledgeable man, who distinguished himself in selfless service to God, nation and humanity. His contribution to national unity, democracy will remain indelible in history,” the CPS stated.