Jeremiah Useni: 8 Interesting Facts About Late Former FCT Minister
TheTalk.NG journalist Adekunle Dada has over 7 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international events
FCT, Abuja – A former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lt. General Jeremiah Timbut Useni, passed on on Thursday, January 23, 2025.
It was gathered that Useni died following a protracted illness.
Lt. General Jeremiah Timbut Useni died on Thursday, January 23, 2025.
Photo credit: @bukolasarakiSource: Twitter
General Useni transitioned into politics after retiring from the military to contribute to the development of the country.
Below are some interesting facts about the late former FCT minister.
Facts about Jeremiah Useni
- General Useni was born on February 16, 1943, and hails from Langtang, Plateau state.
- He was a Lt. General in the Nigerian Army.
- Useni was a one-time Military Governor of Nigeria’s defunct Bendel State from January 1984 – August 1985.
- He served as the FCT minister under the late military junta, General Sani Abacha from 1993 to 1998.
He was also a former Minister for Transport and Quarter-Master General of the Nigeria Army.
- Useni was also a former Senator representing Plateau South in the National Assembly from 2015 to 2019 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
- He lost in the 2019 governorship election in Plateau state to the then-incumbent governor, Simon Lalong of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
- Useni was a former Deputy Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). He left the ANPP in May 2006 to become chairman of a new party, the Democratic People’s Party (DPP)
However, he was suspended indefinitely in December 2008, for saying the death of Ken Saro-Wiwa was a national sacrifice.
- Useni ran for election as Senator for Plateau South in April 2011 on the DPP platform but lost to PDP’s Victor Lar.
Saraki mourns Useni
Former Senate president, Bukola Saraki, has mourned the passing late General Useni.
Saraki described Useni as a true patriot and a great statesman and prayed that the Almighty will comfort all those mourning his passing.
General Useni was a man of profound wisdom and boundless energy—defined by selfless service and dedication to our nation. He was a patriot, through and through.
His leadership in Plateau State, North Central Zone, and across the country stands as a testament to his character and vision.
Useni tells Buhari to use military experience
Meanwhile, TheTalk.NG reported that Useni called on Muhammadu Buhari to secure the release of some Plateau state indigenes captures by Boko Haram.
The retired general says it is painful that some Plateau state indigenes were recently captured by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno state.
Useni notes that it is disturbing that the kidnappings are tied to religious differences and as revenge for other killings outside Nigerian borders.
Source: TheTalk.NG
