Umaru Yaradua: Biography (1951-2010)

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua 

President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua became the first civilian leader in Nigeria to take over from another after winning controversial polls in 2007.

The former chemistry teacher is also the first Nigerian leader for 40 years to be university educated.

During his seven years as Katsina State governor, critics said contracts had gone to companies with links to his family's vast businesses.

He is one of only a few Nigerian politicians to publicly declare their assets - twice before being sworn in as governor and then again when he became president.

He is a father of nine children - five daughters and two sons with his first wife Turai, the first lady, whom he married in 1975 - and two sons with Hajiya Hauwa, whom he married in the 1990s. He divorced Ms Hauwa in 1997 before first running for governor.

Mr. Yaradua's daughter Nafisat is married to Bauchi State governor Isa Yuguda. and his other daughter, Zainab, is married to Kebbi State governor Usman Saidu Nasamu Dakingari.

As a governor he was known to have ignored the advice of aides and bodyguards and walked alone to tobacco kiosks to buy a single cigarette.
 
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