Dr Omede Idris, a Past National President of Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) and former Commissioner of Health, Kogi state, has described late Architect, Chief Gabriel Yakubu Aduku, fnia, PPNIA, OON as an enigma, an Icon, a technocrat, a core professional, public servant, a politician, a statesman, an administrator and a successful private practitioner in the architectural and built industry.
He added that the late former Minister was a man who has exceled in various areas and responsibilities in the cause of his sojourn on earth.
“He was a friend to many, simple, humble and quite unassuming. He was a man who does not want to hurt an ant and by extension fellow human beings. May his soul rest in peace as he bowed to call of nature to be with our Creator.
“Chief Aduku was a man of many parts. He was at home with all shades of persons.
“My personal relationships with him span over many years. We had shared various thoughts on human and infrastructural development that require government attention, buy in and conglomerate of private sector driven developers.
“This common stance over the years, differed the age difference between us. He had accepted and was actively involved as chief host in programs and activities of Inikpi Club of Nigeria between 1993 and 1997, when I held sway as the leader and President of Yola, Adamawa state driven few young Igala men, Inikpi Club of Nigeria. He had hosted Igala men and women at is Anyigba country home, in Igala land annually at the Instance of Inikpi club. The Club community orientated program had been held in Anyigba through Idah annually, involving influential and key Igala sons and daughter living within and outside the kingdom, bringing forth great Igala sons and daughters on a common front and unity of purpose.
“Myself and three others, namely messes: Faruna Imaji, Frederick Makolo and Peter Abutu (of blessed memories) floated the Inikpi Club of Nigeria, under the patron ship of former Head of Service of Kogi state, Chief Yahaya B. Agbenyo (of blessed memories) for the betterment of Igala Kingdom and common interests and common front by the elites and stakeholders of the kingdom, in their dealing with themselves and the system or government, as a basis for participation in government positions and appointments.
“Chief G.Y. Aduku, OON, a Past President of Nigeria Institute of Architects (NIA) and also a Past President of the regulatory council of Architects Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON). Serving as Chairman Awards for Excellence and Honors committee of Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), when I held sway as the President of APBN, demonstrated his sterling qualities, meekness and consideration for details, left no one in doubt, in the choice of those that made it, into the prestigious APBN Excellence roll call in each of the four professional sectors of APBN.
“Arc G.Y. Aduku, OON, was a major political force, in partisan politics within Kogi East, Kogi state, Northern Nigeria and in Nigeria, despite his soft spoken ness and gentility. He was a strong member and Chairman of one of the main Committees (Revenue Allocation) of the Constitutional Conference that gave birth to the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He was a Minister of State for Health in the 4th Republic, in 2011 under then President Umaru Yar’Adua, for a short period of seven months. He was absolved of wrong accusations, by the highest Court of the land in the course of that brief sojourn. I have shared many common views with him in the assignment for the period he stayed . He is a man with great delight, a man endowed with fountain of knowledge, wisdom and humility.
“Arc G.Y. Aduku, fnia, is a huge and top notch name in his primary profession of Architecture and in the construction industry in Nigeria, with iconic finished projects, particularly in Northern Nigeria, having made his mark and that of his company or companies like the ARCHCON Nigeria Limited, a company to which he was the Pioneer Executive Chairman, founded in 1984. The company over time had continued to stand the test of time with the company groomed with experienced workers and professional background.
“Chief G.Y. Aduku, OON, holds the traditional and cultural chieftancy title of the Amana Ogohi Ata Igala, amidst many others. Chief G.Y Aduku, OON, mean different things to different people, but most importantly on the positive side. He was indeed a square peg, in a square hole or a round peg in a round hole. had dreams for Igala land, Kogi state (especially industrial and infrastructural revolution) and also for the nation. It is our prayers that his dreams will glow and manifest after him through many persons who shared his thoughts and whom he let behind. These include his students, mentees, workers, companions, belief in his dreams to make real these dreams and expectations for a greater nation and individuals
“He is a phenomenal loss for Chief G.Y. Aduku,OON was a success in life. May heaven smile at him and receive him peacefully. May the light of our Creator shine on him. May all those Chief Aduku left behind, be comforted and consoled by his excellent attributes in the ways in lived, bequeath to people and conducted affairs of people to the Glory of God.
“Rest in peace, Chief G.Y. Aduku, Amana Ogohi Ata Igala, fnia, ppnia, OON,” he said.
Dr Omede Idris, CIK, fnma is also a past National President of Nigerian Medical Association and a 2023 Kogi state African Democratic Congress ADC, Deputy Governorship Candidate.
