The former military Head of State and presidential candidate of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) General Muhammadu Buhari yesterday paid glowing tributes to the former Nigeria’s representative in the United Kingdom,? late Ambassador Mathew Mbu and foremost economist late Professor Tam Aluko , saying they were both national assets .
Buhari in the tributes noted that Mbu was one of the Founding Fathers of Independent Nigeria who did everything humanly possible to ensure that the country achieved greatness.
According to him, “ He acquitted himself well as Nigeria’s representative in the UK immediately after independence. The late Prime Minister had unshaken confidence in the young Mr. Mbu, and his opinion shaped Nigeria’s policy towards Britain in the few years after independence.
“Mr. Mbu, a mild-mannered man at the most difficult of times became more -mellow in later years and constantly cautioned his fellow Nigerians against extremism and disruptive behaviour. Nigeria has lost a sane voice of moderation.
With his death, the tenuous links to the First Republic are becoming more and more fragile”.
On the? sad demise of Professor Sam Aluko Buhari remarked that the renowned economist was one of Nigeria’s most distinguished economists.
“ His students at University were treated to lectures of theoretical clarity and down to earth practical opinions.
“As Adviser to the governments of Nigeria he was honest, forthright and above all professional. He was never one to bend the truth to satisfy those in authority. He never allowed politics, ethnicity, religion to colour his economic advice or public discourse”.