DG NILDS Mourns Former Chief of Staff and Pioneer DG of NSO

By Chinedu Echianu

Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Professor Abubakar Sulaiman, has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of General Abdullahi Muhammad (Rtd), former Chief of Staff to Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Media Adviser, Mohammad Abdulkadri, Professor Sulaiman described the late General’s death as “a dark chapter in the annals of the nation and a monumental loss to Kwara State and the Ilorin Emirate in particular.”

He extolled the late General’s distinguished military career and his impactful contributions to national development, noting his service as Military Governor of Benue and Plateau States, Pioneer Director General of the National Security Organisation (NSO), and National Security Adviser (NSA) to former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd).

According to Sulaiman, General Abdullahi’s lifetime of service reflected “patriotism, excellence, resilience, and integrity,” adding that his passing has created a significant leadership vacuum.

The NILDS DG, who is also a former Minister of National Planning, extended condolences to Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, the military community, and the family and people of Ilorin Emirate.

He prayed for the repose of the late General’s soul, asking Almighty Allah to grant him eternal rest in Al-Jannat Firdaus and to give his loved ones the fortitude to bear the loss.