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Shehu Ladan: Gone But Not Forgotten
By Emmanuel Ajibulu
Newsdiaryonline Sun Oct 9,2011
Death is one of the occurrences that are inevitable in life;
everyone has a date with it. It is just that everyone cannot die
at the same time, but at an appointed time. The untimely death
of Alhaji Shehu Ladan which was announced on October 4, 2011 at
an undisclosed hospital in far away Dubai, United Arab Emirate
still grips lots of Nigerians in deep despair. LateLadan who was
born on September 21, 1952 was an accomplished lawyer,
philanthropist and oil and gas management strategist from Kaduna
State, who contributed to the socio-economic activities of the
state and Nigeria at large in different capacities.
Following the completion of Alhaji Ladan's NYSC programme, he
served as Staff Solicitor of the Federal Mortgage Bank of
Nigeria. He was later Company Secretary/Legal Adviser Kaduna
State Rural Electrification Board (REB) and Assistant Director
Federal Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Jos. Thereafter he was
appointed to Kaduna State executive council in 1987 as
Commissioner of Education. During his tenure as education
commissioner, he founded and established the Nuhu Bamalli
Polytechnic Zaria (formerly Kaduna State Polytechnic). He also
sponsors research and publications and indigent students from
all parts of the state to the institution. Subsequently, he got
a portfolio in 1989 as Attorney General and Commissioner for
Justice.
After meritorious and indelible track records in politics, Ladan
an alumnus of Harvard Business School, Oxford University and
University of Dundee pitched his tent in the oil and gas
industry in 1990. To his credit, he held various positions in
the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), rising to
the position, Group General Manager of Human Resources in 2004.
In 2006, he was appointed the Deputy Managing Director/CEO of
Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Ltd, a joint venture
company that has NNPC, Shell, Total and Agip as shareholders. In
recognition of his public spirited works propelled by an undying
attitude to serve humanity, Ladan Shehu was turbaned the
Cigarin-Zazzau, meaning the Conqueror of Zaria, historically
referred to as
Zazzau in present day Zazzau Emirate Council of Kaduna State.
In October 2007, he was appointed Group Executive
Director (GED) Commercial and Investment of NNPC. Also in April
2010 he was appointed as Group Managing Director after a brief
recess from the industry. However, barely forty days later he
was relieved from office under very controversial circumstances
as NNPC GMD; precisely April 6 to May 18, 2010.
Extolling the virtues of the deceased, a lawmaker at the federal
House of Representatives (Ondo East/West) Hon. Joseph Iranola
Akinlaja, who was formerly NUPENG Secretary-General & Deputy
National President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said in his
condolence message: ‘‘It is indeed heart
rending and shocking to think that a very resourceful and
illustrious icon in the energy sector, Alhaji Shehu Ladan
has taken a final exit from life’s stage. He was a rare
gem whose vacuum may not be filled for a very long time. He was
a quintessential professional, dignified and gracious, a quiet
hero, man of many parts and dynamism. I sincerely and humbly
commiserate with the family of
Alhaji Shehu Ladan , all his dependants, as well as
stakeholders in the energy sector, particularly Nigerian
National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC; his immediate past
constituency. He would be remembered for upholding the banner of
NNPC even for that short period as GMD.’’
Reflecting further on the death of Alhaji Ladan, Hon. Akinlaja
emphasized: ‘‘There goes one Nigerian who was passionate about
his country. He was dainty in looks and noble in character. He
was a flower to his friends and a thorn in the flesh of his
enemies. In him was no fear and death knows that he could not
have claimed him except that it is the way of all mortals. Adieu
my brother, my fellow compatriot, my friend. I pray for the
repose of his soul and asked God to give the family and loved
ones the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. May his gentle
soul rest in indescribable peace. Even in emotion-laden heart, I
extend my condolences and sympathies.’’
Emmanuel Ajibulu is media aide to Hon. Joseph Akinlaja, a member
of the House of Reps (Ondo East/West) and Deputy National
Chairman of Labour Party,Nigeria.
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