Elder Statesman, Abubakar Abdulkadir Dies At 84

Abubakar Abdulkadir, a former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of the Nigerian Industrial Development Bank (NIDB), has passed on.

The elder statesman and ardent public servant died at 84 on Monday.

Confirming his demise to Daily Trust, one of his sons, Sirajo Abdulkadir, said, a hip injury led to other health complications.

He said, “He had a hip injury, and while that was healing, he contracted a chest infection. Before then, he had asthma, and that became problematic, which was the reason why he never went back home.”

Abdulkadri’s funeral prayers took place at the National Mosque and was interred at the Gudu Cemetery in Abuja according to Islamic rites.

Before his death, Abdulkadir was a retired permanent secretary in the Ministry of Finance.

Born in 1940, the late Abdulkadir was a skilled administrator and respected statesman who accomplished several national assignments.

He attended Barewa College, Zaria, from 1955 to 60. He obtained an economics degree from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

He started his career as one of the pioneers of the North Central State Ministry of Trade and Industry. After 12 years, he rose to the position of chief industrial officer, then acting permanent secretary in the ministry.

He held positions during the military administrations of General Ibrahim Babangida and General Sani Abacha, where he served as Chairman of the Presidential Committee on the IMF loan and economic adviser, respectively.