Your Father’s Name May Open Doors, But Only Your Work Will Keep You Inside - Late President Yar’Adua’s Nephew Tells Nigerians (Video)

Umar Yar'Adua, son of Senator AbdulAziz Yar'Adua and nephew of the late former President Umar Musa Yar'Adua, has urged people to strive to build their own reputation, even when born into an influential family like his.

In a video he shared on social media, Umar said a person's' father’s name may open doors, but only their work will keep them inside.

He asked people to stop hiding under someone else’s shadow and ensure they build their own.

In his words: ‘’Do you know what it feels like when everybody knows your father's name but nobody knows yours?

"My Uncle was the late President Umar Musa Yar'Adua, my other Uncle late Shehu Musa Yar'Adua, my Dad Senator Abdulaziz Yar'Adua…I grew up in a family where the name carried weight but here is the truth..

"Their name doesn't automatically make me anything I don't build myself, I will just be another sadow living off their reputation and that is what I want you to realize. Your father worked for his name, you can't hide behind it. You have to build yours.

Your father's name may open doors, but only your work will keep you inside. Stop hiding in someone else's shadow build your own.''

Your father's name may open doors, but only your work will keep you inside. Stop hiding in someone else's shadow
build your own. pic.twitter.com/ZHtuaqOR5x

— Umar Yaradua (@umaryaradua58) August 21, 2025