Former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (GCFR) has expressed grief over the death of Lt. General Jeremiah Timbut Useni, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who passed away on Thursday at the age of 81 after a prolonged illness.
In a condolence message he personally signed on Friday and made available to newsmen, including Veracity Desk (veracitydesk.com), IBB described the late Useni as a passionate Nigerian, committed patriot, seasoned military officer, and exemplary statesman who dedicated his life to serving the nation.
The Minna born General and former military President added that the news of the passing of Useni came to him as a “rude shock”.
Babangida also highlighted the former Minister’s remarkable contributions to the development of the FCT and his unwavering commitment to national unity and progress during his tenure as a Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District.
Below is the full statement reproduced hereunder:
PRESS RELEASE
USENI WAS A PASSIONATE NIGERIAN, IBB
The sudden death of General Jeremiah Useni came to me as a rude shock. At 81, he was still full of life, until he fell ill. Just when we were hoping that reprieve had come from his illness, his star suddenly snapped, marking the end of a journey, an era of remarkable life.
General Useni was a passionate Nigerian who put his all in service to our fatherland. A gentleman officer of extra-ordinary orientation, Useni was a total Nigerian without boundaries. He served in various capacities in the course of his professional career as a Gentleman Officer, and also excelled as a politician of note, who represented his people in Plateau State at the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As a General and Senator, Useni was exemplary and outstanding in his love for Nigeria.
I feel a sense of personal loss at the exit of General Jeremiah Useni. He was a very resourceful Nigerian who made friends across the country in his professional trajectory and was very much at home with anyone he came across. You would hardly see the anger of General Useni. He had a peculiar laughter that was part of him. His leadership style was result-driven. He was not only effective in delivering results but also knew how to coordinate his subordinates and associates to achieve set goals and objectives. He served in various capacities both as a Gentleman Officer and Senator of the Federal Republic. His robust character and relationship with people earned him his moniker; “Jerry Boy”.
On behalf of my family, I wish to convey our condolences to his family, friends, associates and professional colleagues on this sudden death. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult mournful period. May God Almighty comfort his family and grant them the comportment to cope with this irreplaceable loss. Rest in peace, Jerry Boy. Rest on, the people’s General. May your soul continue to rest in perfect peace.
Signed
GENERAL I. B. BABANGIDA, GCFR
