Musa Yar'Adua

Umaru Musa Yar'Adua (16 August 1951 – 5 May 2010) was a Nigerian politician who served as the 13th President of Nigeria from 2007 until his death in 2010. He was the governor of Katsina State from 1999 to 2007. Early Life and Education Umaru Musa Yar’Adua was born in Katsina, in Nigeria's Northern Region. He belonged to a prominent Fulani aristocratic family; his father, Musa Yar’Adua, was a prominent minister in the First Republic and held the title of Mutawalli of Katsina, a traditional position of treasury custodian. His older brother, Shehu Musa Yar'Adua, was a retired Major General and Vice President of Nigeria during the military rule of Olusegun Obasanjo. Yar’Adua attended primary school at Rafukka Primary School, Dutsinma Primary School, and the Government College at Keffi. He received a Higher School Certificate (HSC) from Barewa College in 1971. He went on to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and Chemistry in 1975, and later a Master of Science degree in Analytical Chemistry in 1978. Career Progression Before entering politics, Yar’Adua pursued a career in academia and business. He lectured at various institutions, including Holy Child College, Lagos (1975–1976), and Katsina College of Arts, Science and Technology, Zaria (1976–1979). Between 1979 and 1983, he was a lecturer at College of Art Science, Zaria. He worked in the business sector as a general manager and director for several companies until 1999. His political career began formally in 1999 when he was elected Governor of Katsina State. During his eight-year tenure, he became widely recognized as the first Nigerian state governor to publicly declare his assets. In 2007, he was selected as the presidential candidate for the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) and subsequently won the controversial election to become President of Nigeria, succeeding Olusegun Obasanjo. Major Achievements and Notable Works As President, Yar’Adua initiated a significant policy agenda focused on institutional reform, which he summarized in his "7-Point Agenda." Key components included infrastructure development (particularly power and energy), food security, wealth creation, transport sector modernization, land reform, security, and education. His most notable achievements include implementing the policy of the "Rule of Law," reversing some controversial privatization deals made by his predecessor, and initiating the amnesty program in the restive Niger Delta region in 2009. The amnesty successfully reduced militancy and secured a temporary peace dividend in the region, which was crucial for Nigeria's oil production. Current Status Umaru Musa Yar'Adua died in office on May 5, 2010, at the age of 58, following an extended period of illness, which included pericarditis and kidney complications. He passed away at the presidential villa in Abuja and was buried in his hometown of Katsina. His death led to the formal ascension of his Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan, to the presidency. Yar'Adua is remembered for his dedication to the rule of law and his anti-corruption efforts as governor.