Ms Hajiya Fati Koko, the 95-year-old woman who donated $500 life savings to assist Gen Muhammadu Buhari campaign for Nigeria’s presidency is no more.
She died in her home in Birmin Kebbi in Kebbi State, north-west Nigeria on Saturday.
Ms Koko had waited nine hours in Kebbi early last year to donate the money to Gen Buhari, who was the All Progressives Congress (APC) who was on campaigning in the area.
Maitalla Tara, as she was popularly known reportedly offered virtually her life’s savings to Buhari because she admired his honestly, discipline and stand for truth.
President Buhari described Ms Koko as “a woman with a good heart, who stood by her convictions and gave sacrificially”.
“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 in a statement released by his media and publicity adviser, Mr Femi Adesina.
President Buhari condoled with the family and relatives of the departed, urging them to take solace in the fact that their matriarch lived to a ripe old age.
The President said he was happy that, “she saw the beginning of the change she had long yearned for” in governance.
“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.”
