Buhari Mourns Hajia Fati Koko, Woman Who Donated Her Life Savings To His Campaign

Maitalle Tara Koko

President Muhammadu Buhari has extolled the virtues of Hajiya Fati Koko, popularly called Maitalla Tara, who passed away at 95.

The president, who mourned the late Hajiya Koko, described her as “a woman with a good heart, who stood by her convictions, and gave sacrificially”.

The deceased came to national reckoning when she waited nine hours in Kebbi early last year to donate N1 million to Mr. Buhari, who was then presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

She had offered virtually her life’s savings to the then presidential candidate saying she admired his honesty, discipline, and stand for truth.

Receiving the news of her passage, President Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, commended Hayiya Koko’s conviction and sacrificial giving.

He also urged Nigerians to learn vital lessons from her life.

“She gave practically all she had towards our campaign. Though well advanced in age, she still believed a new Nigeria was possible, and followed her conviction with action. What generosity of spirit and what tenacious faith in her motherland. Nigerians, old and young, have a lot to learn from her”, the president said.

He condoled with the family and relations of the departed, urging them to take solace in the fact that their matriarch lived to a ripe old age, “and she saw the beginning of the change she had long yearned for”.

“The onus is now on all of us to ensure that the change gets entrenched and solidified for even generations yet unborn to benefit from”, he said.

President Buhari also sympathized with the governor and people of Kebbi State, whom he said will all miss the sterling qualities of Hajiya Koko, but added that the life of the departed will serve as a standard to emulate “in the service of God, humanity and country”.

“May Allah grant her soul repose in Al-jannah”, the President prayed.