President Buhari mourns former MILAD, Ahmed Usman

President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday, mourned the death of an ex-military administrator in Ondo and Oyo States, Colonel Ahmed Usman.

The condolence message of President Buhari was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, named ‘President Buhari mourns former military administrator, Colonel Ahmed Usman.’

The statement read, “President Muhammadu Buhari extends heartfelt condolences to the family of Colonel Ahmed Usman, former military administrator in Ondo and Oyo States.

“President Buhari avers that as a military officer, the late Colonel Usman served the nation with courage and dedication, adding that his contributions to peace and unity, as well as his quest for public good, continued even in retirement.

“As the President prays that Almighty Allah will repose the soul of the departed, his thoughts are with the government and people of Kogi State, where Usman hailed from, and with friends and colleagues, as they mourn this loss.”

Colonel Ahmed Usman was born 20 August, 1951. He was a Nigerian Military Administrator of Ondo State (September 1994 – August 1996) and then of Oyo State (August 1996 – August 1998) during the military government of General Sani Abacha.

Usman was elected Governor of Ondo State in September 1994. While Governor of Ondo State, Usman installed Oba Adeleye Orisagbemi as the Attah of Ayede Ekiti.

In the midst of concerns about cultism in the state, on 17 June 1996, Usman threatened to dismiss any Ondo State judge who granted bail to secret cult suspects.

In 1998, Adeoluwa Oyerinde, an ex-Managing Director of a subsidiary of the Odu’a Investment Company claimed that he had given bribes to Usman and other military governors while Usman was administrator of Ondo State.

Usman died on 14 April 2021 at the age of 70 in Jos, Plateau State following an ailment. His body was taken back to his hometown of Okura-Lafia, Kogi State for an Islamic burial service.