By Ismaila Chafe, Emmanuel Oloniruha
Abuja, Jan. 17, 2021
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.
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.
Meanwhile, the PDP has described the death of Sen. Martins-Kuye as a colossal loss to the nation.
This is contained in a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Kola Ologbondiyan in Abuja on Sunday.
Ologbondiyan said that the party was grieved by the death of Martins-Kuye, who was one of its founding members.
He described the deceased as a highly courageous democrat and dedicated statesman, who sacrificed his time, energy and resources towards the stability and development of the nation.
“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,” he said.
Ologbondiyan added that the contributions of Martins-Kuye to the growth and development of PDP remained indelible both in his home state, Ogun, and at the national level.
He said that the deceased played exceptional roles with other patriots in laying a solid foundation for the party as well as the entrenchment of democracy in the nation.
He commiserated with his family, the people and government of Ogun as well as the party in the state.
He prayed God to comfort and grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.
