Northern Elders Mourn Junaid, Dikko

The Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) has commiserated with the families of a critic and politician, Dr Junaid Mohammed, and the former Comptroller-General of Nigerian Customs Service, Abdullahi Dikko, who died hours apart on Thursday.

A statement by the Director, Publicity and Advocacy of the forum, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, described the late Mohammed as a key player in the nation’s political fortunes.

While also describing the former NCS CG as a humble, generous and a patriot, the forum expressed sadness that the duo passed away only a few weeks after the demise of Alhaji Usman Faruk.

The statement read, “Northern Elders Forum is saddened by the loss of two more of its founding members, Dr Junaidu Muhammed and Alhaji Abdullahi Dikkon Inde, only a few weeks after the demise of Alhaji Usman Faruk.

“Dr Junaidu Mohammed was an outstanding medical doctor who carved an irreplaceable path as a politician who combined principled activism with ideological politics.

“He had been a key player in the nation’s political fortunes and was always involved in nurturing the democratic process. He had served in the House of Representatives in the Second Republic.

“His outstanding intellect was always available to the North and Nigeria, and he died at a moment when he was deeply involved in the search for a new of life for our country. Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko Inde was a distinguished public servant who rose to be the Comptroller-General of Nigerian Customs Service. His humility and generosity to his community. He was a model patriot.

“The Forum joins the nation and their families in praying for Allah’s mercies on them, and His bountiful rewards for their services to their communities and the nation.”