By Turaki Adamu Hassan,Special Adviser (Media & Public Affairs) to Speaker, House of Representatives.
Speaker of the House Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has described the demise of former Deputy Governor of Bauchi state and current chairman, Governing Board of Federal University, Kashere, Gombe State, Alhaji Garba Gadi, as a huge loss.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media & Public Affairs, Mr. Turaki Hassan in Abuja, Dogara said the late Gadi was a true Democrat, elderstatesman, and a patriot.
The late politician and chieftein of the All Progressive Congress (APC), died as after a protracted illness at the age of 70.
“Alhaji Gadi’s life was exemplary, worthy of emulation as he lived the life of service to fatherland and to humanity.”
“He contributed in no small way to the development of Bauchi state especially through the facilitation of the establishment of Zaki Flour Mills in the state”.
“We have lost a seasoned and consummate civil servant, grassroots politician and a true son of Bauchi.”
“Our heartfelt condolences go to his immediate family, friends, associates and the people of Bauchi state at large”.
Brief about the late Garba Gadi
He attended Central Primary School and Senior Boarding Primary School all in Azare in 1950s.
1962-1967 he attended Government College Bauchi.
1968-1970, Barewa College Zaria, where he obtained Higher School Certificate.
1971-1973, ABU Zaria. His set was the first to do NYSC in Nigeria.
He joined the North Eastern state Civil Service as Commercial Officer in the Ministry of Commerce. He worked from 1974-1976.
With the creation of Bauchi State in 1976 he moved to Bauchi State Ministry of Commerce where he rose to the position of permanent secretary.
From there he proceeded on secondment to Nigerian Bank for Commerce and Industry, NBCI as Managing Director.
While there, he facilitated the loan that was used to establish Zaki Flour Mills in his native Azare town. He left NBCI to become the pioneer Managing Director of Zaki Flour Mills.
During the Abacha era, he contested and won the seat of Senator representing Bauchi North Senatorial District. With the demise of General Sani Abacha, the transition was terminated.
With Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, he again contested for the seat of Senator, but lost to late Alhaji Bashir Mustapha (Shatiman Katagum).
During the 2007 general elections, he was selected as gubernatorial running mate to former governor of Bauchi state Malam Isah Yuguda.
He was the chairman of the CPC delegation during the merger that gave birth to the APC.
As at the time of his death, he was Chairman, Governing Board of Federal University Kashere, Gombe state.
He is survived by two wives, many children and grandchildren.