01/07/2026
A EULOGY IN HONOUR OF AN ICON OF INTEGRITY: LATE ALHAJI USMAN YAHAYA
"The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive." — Albert Einstein
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." — Winston Churchill
"Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un" (Surely to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return).
I have chosen to write today, not merely to mourn an irreplaceable departure, but to celebrate a monumental life—a life that served as a masterclass in ethical leadership,
selflessness, and unyielding faith. He was a man who lived to serve, never expecting to be served, dedicating his entire existence to human capital development and community empowerment.
The passing of Alhaji Usman Yahaya of Odagba, Ankpa, has left an undeniable, cavernous void across the length of Ankpa Local Government, the entire Igala Kingdom, and Kogi State at large. Yet, the transcendent legacy he leaves behind shines brighter than the grief that currently clouds our hearts.
An Exemplar of Ethical Business and Economic Empowerment
"True leadership lies in guiding others to success—in ensuring that everyone is performing at their best, doing the work they are pledged to do and doing it well." — Sam Rayburn
From a conventional perspective, commerce is often viewed merely as a vehicle for personal enrichment. However, Alhaji Usman Yahaya redefined business as a sacred tool for societal elevation. He became the catalyst for economic prosperity and a cornerstone of livelihood for countless families.
He was not a businessman who hoarded wealth; he was a visionary architect of collective prosperity.
Through his unwavering adherence to financial discipline and unblemished, incorruptible integrity, he built an empire that did not just employ people, but permanently empowered them.
His crowning achievement was not the wealth he amassed, but the millionaires he intentionally raised, mentored, and nurtured within Ankpa and across the Igala nation. He deeply understood that true wealth is measured by how many people are lifted out of poverty. By financing and mentoring rising entrepreneurs, he laid the foundational cornerstone for modern Igala entrepreneurship.
A Devout Servant of Allah and Community Pillar
"The best of people are those who are most beneficial to people." — Prophet Muhammad
(Peace Be Upon Him)
Alhaji Usman's life was profoundly rooted in the pristine, orthodox values of Islam. His devotion to the Deen was visible in his quiet humility, his absolute submission to the will of Allah, and his magnanimous generosity. He deployed his resources as a silent, powerful force for community transformation.
His philanthropy was entirely devoid of vanity; he gave because his faith demanded compassion, and he served because his character knew no other way. For this reason, he was universally cherished, revered, and respected by the young, the old, the powerful, and the vulnerable alike.
A Legacy Transmitted Through Generations
"There is no description, no image in any book, that is quite as impressive as a parent who genuinely lives a life of integrity."
As an ethicist, I recognize that a man’s truest reflection is mirrored in the character of the children he leaves behind. Alhaji Usman Yahaya succeeded immensely where many wealthy men fail: he raised an ethically upright family. He did not just bequeath material inheritance; he instilled deep moral fortitude, fervent prayer habits, a commitment to justice, and a passion for public service into his offspring.
Today, his exemplary upbringing manifests vividly in his children, notably Barr. Abubakar Usman Yahaya (PDP Aspirant for Ankpa, Omala, and Olamaboro Federal Constituency), Engr. Yusuf Usman Yahaya (former Managing Director, Kaduna Electric), and his other children who continue to carry forward their father's torch of altruism and integrity.
Conclusion
"Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you." — Shannon Alder
Alhaji Usman Yahaya lived purposefully, fought the good fight of faith, and returned to his Creator with his honor completely intact, pristine, and unassailable.
We pray that Almighty Allah (SWT) in His infinite mercy forgives his earthly shortcomings, rewards his unmatched generosity, illuminates his resting place, and grants him the highest abode in Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen.
Rest in perfect peace, Baba!
ADIEU!!!!
Your legacy will never be forgotten.
Signed:
Ethicist (Prince) Salih Musa YAKUBU
Executive Director, Centre for Ethics and Self Value Orientation
A EULOGY IN HONOUR OF AN ICON OF INTEGRITY: LATE ALHAJI USMAN YAHAYA
"The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive." — Albert Einstein
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." — Winston Churchill
"Inna Lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un" (Surely to Allah we belong and to Him we shall return).
I have chosen to write today, not merely to mourn an irreplaceable departure, but to celebrate a monumental life—a life that served as a masterclass in ethical leadership,
selflessness, and unyielding faith. He was a man who lived to serve, never expecting to be served, dedicating his entire existence to human capital development and community empowerment.
The passing of Alhaji Usman Yahaya of Odagba, Ankpa, has left an undeniable, cavernous void across the length of Ankpa Local Government, the entire Igala Kingdom, and Kogi State at large. Yet, the transcendent legacy he leaves behind shines brighter than the grief that currently clouds our hearts.
An Exemplar of Ethical Business and Economic Empowerment
"True leadership lies in guiding others to success—in ensuring that everyone is performing at their best, doing the work they are pledged to do and doing it well." — Sam Rayburn
From a conventional perspective, commerce is often viewed merely as a vehicle for personal enrichment. However, Alhaji Usman Yahaya redefined business as a sacred tool for societal elevation. He became the catalyst for economic prosperity and a cornerstone of livelihood for countless families.
He was not a businessman who hoarded wealth; he was a visionary architect of collective prosperity.
Through his unwavering adherence to financial discipline and unblemished, incorruptible integrity, he built an empire that did not just employ people, but permanently empowered them.
His crowning achievement was not the wealth he amassed, but the millionaires he intentionally raised, mentored, and nurtured within Ankpa and across the Igala nation. He deeply understood that true wealth is measured by how many people are lifted out of poverty. By financing and mentoring rising entrepreneurs, he laid the foundational cornerstone for modern Igala entrepreneurship.
A Devout Servant of Allah and Community Pillar
"The best of people are those who are most beneficial to people." — Prophet Muhammad
(Peace Be Upon Him)
Alhaji Usman's life was profoundly rooted in the pristine, orthodox values of Islam. His devotion to the Deen was visible in his quiet humility, his absolute submission to the will of Allah, and his magnanimous generosity. He deployed his resources as a silent, powerful force for community transformation.
His philanthropy was entirely devoid of vanity; he gave because his faith demanded compassion, and he served because his character knew no other way. For this reason, he was universally cherished, revered, and respected by the young, the old, the powerful, and the vulnerable alike.
A Legacy Transmitted Through Generations
"There is no description, no image in any book, that is quite as impressive as a parent who genuinely lives a life of integrity."
As an ethicist, I recognize that a man’s truest reflection is mirrored in the character of the children he leaves behind. Alhaji Usman Yahaya succeeded immensely where many wealthy men fail: he raised an ethically upright family. He did not just bequeath material inheritance; he instilled deep moral fortitude, fervent prayer habits, a commitment to justice, and a passion for public service into his offspring.
Today, his exemplary upbringing manifests vividly in his children, notably Barr. Abubakar Usman Yahaya (PDP Aspirant for Ankpa, Omala, and Olamaboro Federal Constituency), Engr. Yusuf Usman Yahaya (former Managing Director, Kaduna Electric), and his other children who continue to carry forward their father's torch of altruism and integrity.
Conclusion
"Carve your name on hearts, not tombstones. A legacy is etched into the minds of others and the stories they share about you." — Shannon Alder
Alhaji Usman Yahaya lived purposefully, fought the good fight of faith, and returned to his Creator with his honor completely intact, pristine, and unassailable.
We pray that Almighty Allah (SWT) in His infinite mercy forgives his earthly shortcomings, rewards his unmatched generosity, illuminates his resting place, and grants him the highest abode in Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen.
Rest in perfect peace, Baba!
ADIEU!!!!
Your legacy will never be forgotten.
Signed:
Ethicist (Prince) Salih Musa YAKUBU
Executive Director, Centre for Ethics and Self Value Orientation
