Nasarawa State governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule has described the late former Nigerian President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, as a true patriot who dedicated his life to serve the nation.

Governor Sule stressed that the late Yar’Adua laid a firm foundation for the nation with his unwavering commitment to the rule of law which marked the core vision of his administration, anchored on his ‘servant leadership’ philosophy.

The Governor stated this when he received the delegation of the Global Initiative for Leadership Success (GILS), which honoured him with the President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Award for Outstanding Leadership, in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.

“The late President Umaru Yar’Adua was true patriot who dedicated his entire life to the service of the nation,” Governor Sule said.

He charged all Nigerians to imbibe these enviable principles and selfless leadership ideals of the former president, maintaining that his legacies were worthy of preserving for generations of Nigerians.

Governor Sule commended the leadership of GILS for finding him deserving of the award, charging them to be unrelenting in promoting the values for which the late President Yar’Adua was renowned and admired.

He further pledged to stand by the non governmental organisation towards achieving its leadership enhancement initiative.

Earlier, the leader of the delegation, High Chief Sunnie Chukumele, who represented GILS Chairman, Major General Bagudu Mamman (Retd), the Etsu Nyaba Chiefdom, expressed the joy of the Board in enlisting Governor Sule among illustrious alumni of the Awards.

Recipients in the past comprise a former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd); Benue State governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia; Bauchi State governor, Sen. Bala Mohammed; Borno State governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, among other eminent Nigerians.

Chukumele highlighted the essence of the award in preserving the legacy of the late President whom he described as honest, selfless and reputable Nigerian leader.

“It takes a man of such immense and impeccable character with strong conviction like the Late President Yar’Adua to put his coveted office at risk while admitting that the election that brought him to power was fraught with Irregularities and he lived the rest of his life to remedy this through the Justice Lawal Uwais panel.

“The late president also showed Nigerians that the only way to deepen our democracy and live in a peaceful and just society is by adhering to the rule of law. But for his death, the nation’s democracy could have moved a little more advanced,” he said.

He appealed for the collaboration of the Nasarawa State governor towards the establishment of the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Presidential Library aimed to be sited in Katsina State.

“We believe that this dream will receive a big boost with your anticipated buy-in,’ the GILS leader said.