Ahmed Joda, Former ‘Super’ Permanent Secretary Is Dead

An administrator, journalist, and politician, Mr Joda, was described as a super federal permanent secretary.

Ahmed Joda, an administrator, journalist, politician, and a former federal permanent secretary has died, following a brief illness at the Federal Medical Centre, Yola, on Friday.

Mohammed Baba, personal secretary to the deceased, said Mr Joda was immediately buried in Yola according to the Islamic rites.

Tijjani Tahir, deputy chief Imam of Yola town central mosque, led the funeral prayers with top state government persons in attendance, politicians, representatives of Adamawa Emirate Council, among others.

According to Mr Baba, “It is worthy to note that he was the chairman of the 18-member transition committee, nominated by General Muhammadu Buhari to receive the handover notes from the Goodluck Jonathan-led administration in 2015.

“Also worthy of note is the fact that he was the chairman of the transition committee in 1979 when General Obasanjo handed over to president Shagari,” he said.

Mr Baba said the deceased was born in Yola in 1930, attended Yola Elementary School and Yola Middle School before proceeding to Barewa College from 1945 to 1948.

In the 1950s, he attended Pitman College, London, and gained practical experience in journalism while staying in Britain. After completing his secondary education in 1948, Mr Joda was admitted to Moor Plantation, Ibadan.

He worked briefly at an agricultural centre in Yola before entering the field of journalism at Gaskiya Corporation, Zaria.

He later worked for the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission serving as the editor of NBC Kaduna, then joined the Northern Nigeria civil service as Chief Information Officer and later permanent secretary in the regional Ministry of Information.

His foray into national service began sometime in 1967, when Mr Joda became a federal permanent secretary in the Ministry of Information and subsequently moved to Lagos.

Mr Joda is survived by four children, comprising two males and two females, including Hajiya Asmau Joda, a female activist.