The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) the Northern Elders Christian Forum (NOCEF) and the Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern states and Abuja yesterday described late president Umaru Musa Yar’adua as a man of unquestionable integrity with a vision for transforming Nigeria into a great nation.

In their separate reactions to the death of the President, the three groups commiserated with Nigerians and the family of the president and called on Nigerian leaders to emulate his patriotic zeal.

The ACF in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Anthony N.Z. Sani said death of President Umaru Musa Yar’adua was tragic having been sick for a long period of time.

According to the forum, the late President had intentions for the country, but his efforts were being hampered by his ill health adding that Nigerians will long remain indebted to him for the patriotism and courage with which he tackled the many intractable problems of the nation.

“There is no one left in doubt of the good intentions of the late President. He wore his personal qualities of integrity, humility and good will right there on his sleeves. He was willing to bear great personal burden and make heavy sacrifices in order to achieve his vision of a stable, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

“Nigerians will long remain indebted to the late President for the patriotism and courage with which he tackled the many intractable problems of Nigeria, especially those left behind by his predecessor in office.

“In particular, Nigerians will always remember President Yar’adua’s insistence on unqualified obedience to the rule of law and due process, the two pillars of his campaign to combat corruption and impunity, the evils destroying our country.

“Alhaji Umaru Yar’adua’s presidency had great potentials for the transformation of Nigeria, but the success of his programmes and policies have never been assured as he was continually hampered by ill health.

“It is up to Nigerians to draw the right lessons from the late president’s abortive tenure of office. We must pick up the challenges he has left behind” the forum stated.

However, the Chairman of NOCEF, Evang. Matthew Owojaiye while reacting the death of President in a telephone call noted that President Yar’adua had great dreams for the Nigerian nation and would have transformed the country were it not for his health problem.

While commiserating with Nigerians and the family of the late president, Owojaiye urged Nigerians to be at peace with one another and work together for the development of the nation.

He also charged the new president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to be fair and just to all parts of the Nigerian nation by ensuring that there is even development across the nation.

“The Northern Christian Elders Forum (NOCEF) commiserated with the people of Nigeria on the death of President Umaru Musa Yar’adua. We commiserate with his entire family members and pray that God will comfort them.

“Nigerians should be at peace with each other. The new President, Dr. GoodLuck Jonathan should make sure that he is fair to all parts of the country by ensuring that there is even development and fairness to all parts of the country. He should understand that he is now the father of the nation and he should work in the interest of all Nigerians” Owojaiye said.

Also in his reaction, the Secretary of the CAN in the 19 Northern states and Abuja, Elder Saidu Dogo, noted the sterling qualities of the late president, saying that he was a man of personal integrity and was determined to fight corruption which has eaten deeply in every fabric of the Nigerians society.

“We expressed our condolence to all Nigerians over the passing away of our President, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’adua. Our heartfelt sympathy goes to the entire family members of the late president and we pray that God will give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

“Yar’adua was an honest and transparent politician who made efforts to fight corruption which has eaten deeply in the fabric of the Nigerian nation. He was a man of integrity. He had a vision to move the nation forward with his policy on rule of law and electoral reforms. May his soul rest in peace” Dogo said while reacting on the President’s death on phone.