Former Finance Minister, Jubril Martins-Kuye, dies at 80

Etim Effiong

A Third Republic Senator and former Minister of Finance, Jubril Martins-Kuye, on Sunday morning, died at the age of 80 in his hometown of Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.

Senator Lekan Mustapha, representing Ogun East, confirmed his death.

Described as a grassroots politician, Martins-Kuye was a chartered accountant, who practised in Lagos and oversees for many years before settling down in politics.

He was first elected to the Nigerian Senate in the Third Republic. When democracy returned in 1999, he ran as a candidate of the People’s Democratic Party against Olusegun Osoba, who defeated him to become Ogun State governor.

He was subsequently appointed Minister of State for Finance by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, remaining in the cabinet until 2003.

He was also Aare Musilumi of Ogun State for several decades. He worked across Nigeria’s political and ideological spectrum and sought alliances between the north and the south.

Between 2010 and 2011, former President Goodluck Jonathan appointed Sen. Martins-Kuye as his Commerce and Industry Minister while completing the remaining tenure of departed President Umar Yar-Adua.

Senator Mustapha described the death of the elder statesman as a big blow to Ogun and Nigeria.

He said:  “He was a mentor and a pathfinder.”

Martins-Kuye clocked 80 years on August 16, 2020 and was celebrated by President Muhammadu Buhari and many other people.

Sen. Martins-Kuye will be buried shortly after 4:00 p.m according to Islamic rites in his home in Ago- Iwoye Ogun State.

He was survived by his two wives and children.