Prominent Nigerians from across the political, religious, legal and security sectors have trooped to commiserate with legal icon, Mr Damian Dodo, SAN, over the death of his mother, Mrs Veronica Rabi Dodo.
Mrs Dodo, born on Nov. 29, 1944, died on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, at the age of 81.
Among those who have condoled with the Dodo family are former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida (rtd.); Vice President Kashim Shettima; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; and former Senate President, David Mark.
Also in the list of early sympathisers are Adamawa State Governor, Umaru Fintiri; Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike; and Chairman/Editor-in-Chief of THISDAY/ARISE Media Group, Prince Nduka Obaigbena.
Other dignitaries include former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama; Cardinal John Onaiyekan; former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed; and former Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Abubakar.
Nasarawa State Deputy Governor, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, as well as Senators Sanusi Daggash and Bashir Lado have also reached out to the family.
Some of the dignitaries have visited the Dodo family’s Maitama residence in Abuja to offer prayers and support, while others sent telephone calls and written messages of condolence.
Vice President Shettima, while consoling the bereaved family, prayed for divine comfort. “May the soul of Mama rest in peace. And may God grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. Amin,” he said.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described the loss as painful. “We have come to condole D. Dodo (SAN) on the irreparable loss of his Mum. May God grant her eternal rest. Amen,” he said.
Former Senate President Mark offered a brief but solemn tribute. “Rest in peace, Mama,” he said.
FCT Minister Wike expressed faith in the deceased’s eternal rest. “Mama, we have faith that you will be resting in the bosom of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen,” he prayed.
Former Speaker Dogara acknowledged Mrs Dodo’s contributions to the church and society. “May Mama’s departed soul rest in perfect peace at the bosom of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thanks for the impact on the church and humanity,” he said.
Archbishop Kaigama, in a personal tribute, recalled Mrs Dodo’s support to him as a parish priest in Wukari, Taraba State. “The loss is monumental. Mrs Veronica Dodo was my great pillar of support in Wukari when I was Parish Priest. May she enjoy eternal rest,” he said.
Cardinal Onaiyekan said Mrs Dodo’s life reflected Christian virtues of perseverance and faith. “I hereby join my voice to the condolence messages of the very many family, friends and colleagues to you at the passing into glory of your dear mother. May her dear soul rest in perfect peace,” he said.
The Cardinal added a biblical reference for comfort. “Please take consolation that your dear mother has ‘run a good race, fought the good fight and kept the faith’. Her crown of glory is sure in paradise,” Onaiyekan said.
He explained that he was unable to visit in person because he was in New York for a global peace event and would later travel to Nairobi, Kenya, before returning to Abuja on Sept. 6.
Governors Fintiri and Oborevwori were among those who physically visited the family in Abuja to convey their sympathies and stand with Dodo and other members of the family.
The delegation of visitors also included Dr Akabe, Justice Mohammed, and Mr Abubakar, who all prayed with the family at their residence.
Members of the legal profession also turned out in large numbers. Several SANs including Dr Alex Izinyon, former Attorney General of the Federation, Mr M.B. Adoke, Chief Godwin Obla, and Chief A.T. Kehinde were at the Maitama home.
Also present were Samuel Atung, Dr Joshua Musa, and Mr Audu Anuga, all of whom described Mrs Dodo as a mother whose values shaped her children.
Retired senior military officers, including former Chiefs of Defence Intelligence, AVM Monday Morgan (rtd.) and AVM Mohammed Usman (rtd.), as well as the Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force in Chad, Major-General Saidu Audu, paid condolence visits.
Other visitors included former Minister of Commerce, Ambassador Idris Waziri; Jerry Adams, deputy governorship candidate to Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State; Taraba State University Vice Chancellor, Prof Sunday Bako; and Dame Pauline Tallen, former Deputy Governor of Plateau State and former minister, who has been with the family daily since the death.
The Taraba State Government also issued a statement mourning Mrs Dodo, describing her passing as “a profound loss to the family, the state and all those who knew her.”
In the statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Re-orientation, Zainab Jalingo, on behalf of Governor Agbu Kefas, the government said the deceased lived with dignity, resilience, compassion and devotion to community values.
“The government notes that the passing of a mother is a profound loss, irrespective of age, and acknowledges the invaluable role Mrs Veronica Rabi Dodo played in nurturing a family whose contributions have positively impacted Taraba State and Nigeria,” the statement said.
The government prayed that God would grant the Dodo family the fortitude to bear the loss and grant the departed eternal rest, adding that her legacy would continue to inspire those who knew her.