President Muhammadu Buhari has voiced sadness over the death of Prof. Habu Galadima, the Director General, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).
President Buhari, in a statement issued on Sunday by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, described the deceased as an intellectual colossus who stood tall in the field of scholarship and knowledge.
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The President, who commiserated with his family, friends, the government and people of Nasarawa State, said “Galadima was an eloquent and remarkable intellectual whose contributions to scholarship were vast and remarkable, and Nigeria will continue to remember him for these contributions.”
President Buhari added that “with the death of Galadima, NIPPS and Nigeria at large has lost one of the best DGs ever appointed to head the institute.”
He prayed to Allah to forgive the soul of the departed and reward his good deeds with Al Jannah.
It was reported that Galadima died few hours ago from COVID-19 complications.
Daily Trust gathered from one of the DG’s aids that Galadima died at the Gwagwalada Isolation centre in Abuja on Sunday and is believed to have made contact with Plateau state Governor, Simon Lalong, during last Saturday’s graduation of Senior Executive course 42 of the National institute.
Lalong who announced that he tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday is presently in isolation.
Until his appointment as DG in August 2019, Prof. Galadima was the Director of Research and the Chief Operating Officer of the Political Parties Leadership and Policy Development Centre of the National Institute.
Lalong Shocked
Meanwhile, Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong says, he received with shock the death of the Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Prof. Habu Galadima.
Daily Trust reports that Lalong who is currently in isolation as a result of covid-19 infection was together with late Galadima, during the recent graduation of Course 42 of NIPSS.
Governor Lalong, through his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Makut Simon Macham, said the death of Prof. Galadima “is a great loss to his immediate family, NIPSS, Plateau and Nasarawa States, the Nigerian academic community, and the entire country.”
He described the late Prof. Galadima as an astute scholar of international repute, administrator and professional who demonstrated uncommon commitment in carrying out every responsibility he was assigned.
Lalong said “since assuming office over one year ago, Prof. Galadima has injected a fresh impetus in the management of the nation’s apex policy and strategic institution by introducing new concepts that made research seamless even under the current COVID-19 pandemic. He also did a lot to improve the physical infrastructure of the institution while strengthening the academic experience for all course participants. He will be greatly missed”.
He said Prof. Galadima over the years contributed a lot to the educational development of Plateau State having studied and taught at the University of Jos for many years before was appointedas the DG of NIPSS.
Governor Lalong prayed to God to grant his soul eternal rest and comfort his family.
