The Man Who Has Seen It All
Pays tribute to Gidado Idris, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, at age, 80
Gidado Idris had the misfortune of identifying the corpse of the late premier and that of his wife, Hajia Yanguwan who was also killed. With others Alhaji Gidado Idris arranged a befitting burial for the late premier according to Muslim rites.
Few days later Major Chukwuma Patrick Kaduna Nzeogwu assumed power in Kaduna. He then appointed Mr. Ignatius Julius Dawer Dulong as the Secretary to Government and Head of Service in the absence of Alhaji Alli Akilu who was hidden by the Northern Nigeria Police Commissioner, Alhaji Muhammadu Diko Yusuf from being killed. In the present day Nigeria such an appointment will be greeted with thanksgiving but Ambassador Ignatius Julius Dawer Dulong declined it, insisting that he was junior to Alhaji Akilu and that procedure must be followed. Alhaji Gidado Idris who witnessed the drama once told me “that in life one must be righteous in all things”.
Incidentally Alhaji Muhammadu.Dikko Yusuf became the third Inspector General of Police and served between 1975 and1979. He was the one who brought the traditional rulers from Northern Nigeria to the Ibadan meeting July 27 - 30, 1966, during which General Johnson Thomas Uwanaikwe Ironsi was killed. He co-ordinated their safety back through Ibadan/Ilorin to their respective palaces.
The Constituent Assembly adjourned sine die on June 5, 1978 because members of the assembly became headstrong and recalcitrant and wanted to execute executive responsibilities.
The regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo was worried after the adjournment because it wanted to keep its October 1, 1979 pledge. General Obasanjo then summoned the chairman of the assembly and former Chief Justice of Uganda, Mr. Egbert Udo Udoma and Alhaji Gidado Idris on June 7, 1978 to Dodan Barracks, the then seat of government, with an order to produce a new constitution before May 1979 so that the Supreme Military Council could ratify it before departure. With the assistance of the chief draughtsman of the assembly, Justice John Hezekiah Omololu Thomas, Justice Udo Udoma and Alhaji Gidado Idris sat for weeks and months to produce the 254-paged 1979 Constitution without reconvening the Constituent Assembly. For doing a good job, General Obasanjo awarded Justice Udo Udoma Commander of the Federal Republic and Alhaji Gidado Idris, CON.
After the death of General Sani Abacha on June 8, 1998, it was Alhaji Gidado Idris as the Secretary of the Armed Forces Ruling Council in his position as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation who conducted the stormy meeting of the council where General Abdusalam Abubakar emerged as the new head of state in the early hours of June 9, 1998 in Abuja. I still remember the way and manner he announced the new head of state to a fatigued media and members of the secretariat of the Executive Council. It is still the longest day of my life.
Alhaji Gidado was a product of the Institute of Administration, Zaria and University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. He was appointed District Officer for Benue, Sardauna and Adamawa provinces which in the present day Nigeria will be regarded as governor. He later became private and personal secretary to the late Premier, Sir Ahmadu Bello. He served as permanent secretary in Kaduna State from 1971 to 1975. He was appointed secretary of the Constitution Drafting Committee in 1975 and in 1976 he was also appointed secretary of the Constituent Assembly. He was appointed first clerk of the National Assembly in the presidential system of government in 1979. After the overthrow of the government he was appointed secretary and director of Administration of the National Institute of Strategic Affairs in Kuru near Jos. Between 1984 and 1986 he was appointed permanent secretary, Ministry of Police Affairs; between 1986 and 1988 he became the chairman of Productivity, Prices and Income Board. Shortly after, he became permanent secretary, Ministry of Aviation. When General Sani Abacha took over in November 17, 1993, Alhaji Gidado Idris became the permanent secretary, Ministry of Finance and a few months later, he was appointed the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, a post he held till he retired in 1999. Urbane and shy, Alhaji Gidado Idris is a workaholic.
These days he is seen in company with Alhaji Yahaya Salami, Senator Dangana Idayanko carrying his kits to play at IBB Golf Club his daily golf with Alhaji Ibrahim Hamza, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, Alhaji Babagana Kingigbe and others. His value has not declined even in retirement for the likes of Emeka Offor, Senator Musa Adede, Alhaji Shehu Malami, Olu Adekunle, Dr. Goke Adegoroye, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd.), Col. Lawan Gwadabe (rtd.), Dr. Akin Ogunlewe, Dr. Hakeem Baba Ahmed,Alhaji Baba Farouk, Dr. Aliyu Babangida and others see him often. Nothing gladdens his heart these days than to watch the Super Eagles and Arsenal football win their matches. He has paid his dues. He is a fulfilled man and totally at peace with himself.