Ex -Minister, Martins-Kuye is dead

A former Minister of Commerce and Industry, Senator Jubril Martins-Kuye on Sunday died at the age of 78.

One of his children, Bolaji who confirmed this to Daily Trust said the former Minister died at 10:05am due to old age related illness in his residence at Victoria Garden City, Lagos.

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“We thank God for the life of impact . It was a painful loss to us , but, we give glory to God for the impactful life that he lived while he was alive because he touched the lives of many people.

“We are about to convey his remains to his home town where he would be hopefully interred by 4:pm according to Islamic rites,” he said.

Martins-Kuye was appointed Minister of State for Finance in June 1999 during the first tenure of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the position he served until June 2003 before his appointment as Minister of Commerce and Industry on April 6, 2010, when Acting President then, Goodluck Jonathan, announced his cabinet.

Late Martins-Kuye was born on August 1942 in Ago Iwoye, Ijebu constituency of Ogun State. He studied sociology at the University of Ibadan (1965-1968) and then Economics at the Harvard University Business School, graduating in 1983. He gained qualifications as a Chartered Accountant.

Martins-Kuye was a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He was a senator in the Nigerian Third Republic.

He became a member of the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) towards the end of the Sani Abacha regime.

He was a candidate on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform for governorship of Ogun State in 1999.

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Meanwhile, Former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel has mourned Martins-Kuye, describing him as a great religious leader, a compassionate politician and a Patriotic citizen of Nigeria.

In his condolence message, Daniel said “JMK will be greatly missed not only by members of his immediate family but also by friends, political and business associates for whom he has provided great leadership and compassion.”

“JMK weaved an intricate web of leadership cutting across religious, politics and corporate lifestyles. He was a great leader with a clear reputation for fairness and balance.

“He will be greatly missed by many of us who had tapped into his wisdom; Nigeria will miss him as a great Patriot and Statesman whose guidance and directions is needed at this point in the nation’s political journey.

“I pray for his soul to find Peace with Almighty Allah whom he had served with everything he had. I pray that God should grant his family and loved ones the strength to bear his painful exit.”