Sambo, Mark, Gowon, Ekweremadu, Kukah, Omeri describe deaths of Yakowa, Azazi, others as monumental loss

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Vice President, Namadi Sambo on Sunday described late Gov. Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna state as a patriot and a nationalist who had served the country with diligence throughout his life time.

Gov. Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna state

Vice President, Namadi Sambo on Sunday described late Gov. Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna state as a patriot and a nationalist who had served the country with diligence throughout his life time. Yakowa was deputy to Sambo before the later became Vice President to President Goodluck Jonathan following the death of late Umaru Musa Yar?Adua.

Sambo, while commiserating with the wife of the late governor, Mrs Amina Yakowa, described the demise as a great loss to not just the state, but the nation at large. ?It is with great sense of sadness that we are here to console and commiserate with the Kaduna governor, government, people of the state and the country on the loss of my brother, friend, partner and associate.??

He recounts his past relationship with the late governor, which he said had lasted several decades. According to him, the late governor was a hardworking and detribalised person, who never showed any discrimination in terms of religion and ethnicity.

Senate President David Mark and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu on their part also described the deaths of former  Kaduna State Gov Patrick Yakowa and Gen. Andrew  Azazi as monumental loss to the nation.

In a statement signed by Mr Kola Ologbondiyan, his Special Adviser on Media, Mark called on aviation experts to rise to the challenge and ensure safety of air travellers.  He said that Yakowa and Azazi were personal friends, adding that ?besides official relationships, they were my personal friends, it is like a double tragedy to me.??

He commiserated with families of the deceased, including the Navy for the sad loss of its officers, noting that they died in active service to the nation.

 Ekweremadu said in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Uche Anichukwu, that Yakowa, Azazi and the others who died in the crash were illustrious sons of Nigeria who gave their best to their fatherland.  “It is indeed another sad and shocking event in the annals of our nation, and I pray that never again should such a disaster befall our land,” Ekweremadu said.

Former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon in the condolence register, described the late governor as “a paragon of peace and unity, a great public servant.?? Gowon expressed appreciation for the good work the late governor had done while spear heading the affairs of the state.

In a tribute, Bishop Mattew Kukah of Sokoto Diocess, urged the mourners to focus on emulating the virtues of the late governor, as he had left several legacies of honesty, loyalty and sincerity that ought to be imbibed. Kukah further prayed for the new governor to continue to work toward uniting the people, and making his time a “healing period?? for the state.

Also, Mr Mike Omeri, Director General, National Orientation Agency, described the deaths as shocking and most unfortunate. He said in a statement that the two men were key figures of the country’s democracy and security, adding that their departure had left a great sore in the heart of Nigerians.

Omeri said it was regrettable that their demise came while showing love and solidarity to a fellow countryman in grief which showed a bond of unity among Nigerians. He urged Nigerians to learn from the devotion of the two great Nigerians to their fatherland and to their countrymen.

Omeri called on Nigerians to emulate their spirit of patriotism which they displayed while alive and prayed God to grant the families of Yakowa and Azazi and the entire nation the fortitude to bear the great loss.

Several dignitaries had paid their condolences to the widow, amongst them were the Minister of Environment, Hadiza Mailafiya, Dep. Gov of Sokoto, Mukhtar Shagari, Director-General NEMA, Sani Sidi. Others include, Sen. Isiah Balat, Alhaji Umaru Dikko, Col. Hameed Ali and Gov. Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State.

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