President Muhammadu Buhari has advised Nigerians to work hard for a just society the same way Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi and Hamma Tukru did before they died during the weekend.
Hamma Tukur, who was the former the Chairman of Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), died yesterday, Saturday, Idris Kutigi, a former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), died today, Sunday.
President Buhari, who sympathized with members of the judiciary and legal profession, the government and people of Niger State on the death of Kutigi who he described as eminent jurist that was appointed to the Supreme Court in 1992 and named as Chief Justice in 2007, said that he would be long remembered and honoured for his visionary roles and contributions in the advances Nigeria has made towards building a strong, independent and impartial judiciary, which is sine qua non for democracy to thrive.
“Throughout his career in the apex court, the former CJN’s bold and articulate judicial decisions, advocacies on access to justice for all and protection of judicial independence are extant signposts for the advancement of the noble profession in the country and beyond.”
The President advised those who mourn the late jurist to honour his memory by working for a better and just society, in addition to upholding the virtues associated with him during his lifetime of long and dedicated service to the nation.
President Buhari also expressed “profound sadness’’ over the death of Engineer Hamman Tukur, who he said, was credited with the introduction of monetization policy in government, a scheme that substantially streamlined and brought down the cost of governance in Nigeria.
He described Tukur as a dedicated, disciplined, decent and credible public servant who served Nigeria with an untainted record.
“Tukur’s passion for service should remind us that a good name is by far more important than illegal accumulation of wealth,’’ President Buhari said, adding that “History and posterity will judge everyone based on their character.”
Buhari said that the former Chairman of RMAFC was focused and courageous in all his national assignments, which includes working with the Ministry of Mines, Power and Steel and the Ministry of Petroleum before chairing the RMAFC.
He advised Nigerians to emulate late Tukur’s enviable good record of serving the country without blemish and living a life of sacrifice.