Mother of Former Nigerian President Yar’adua Dies at 102

Hajiya Aya Dada Yar’Adua, the mother of the late Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, has passed on.

According to reports, she died at the age of 102 following an undisclosed illness at the Federal Teaching Hospital in Katsina State on Monday evening.

Hajiya Aya Dada Yar’adua, fondly referred to as “Dada,” was also the mother of two other notable individuals, and she is highly respected as one of the few women in Nigerian history to have given birth to prominent political figures. 

Her sons include Umaru Musa Yar’adua, the late former President and two-time governor of Katsina State; Late Shehu Musa Yar’adua, the former Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, during the military regime of former President Olusegun Obasanjo 1976-1979; and Abdulaziz Musa Yar’adua, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army.

Many Nigerians have offered prayers and condolences following the news of Hajiya Aya Dada Yar’Adua’s passing.

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda of Katsina State visited the Yar’adua family on Monday to express his condolences over the loss of Dada. This was announced by his aide on digital media, Isah Miqdad, via his Twitter handle, @Miqdad_Jnr.

The governor expressed his sincere condolences to the bereaved family and offered his deepest sympathies.

Also expressing sadness over Dada’s death, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, via his Twitter handle, wrote, “Innalillahi Wa’inna Ilaihir Raji’un. I am deeply grieved by the death of Hajia Aya Dada Yar’Adua, mother of my late mentor, Tafida Shehu Yar’Adua, late President Umaru Musa Yar'adua, and Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, among others. In the absence of my beloved mother, I adopted Hajiya Dada as a mother.

I express my deepest sympathies to the Yar’Adua family and associates over the loss of this remarkable and invaluable person.