Former governor of Kaduna state, Ibrahim
Patrick Yakowa, was today laid to rest in his country home at FAdan Kagoma, Kaduna state.
The funeral service of the late Yakowa who died in a copter crash along five others was held at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church,
Fadan-Kagoma.
The service witnessed a mammoth crowd which was led by President Goodluck Jonathan including the
deceased family members, federal and state government officials,
hundreds of villagers and sympathizers.
In a tribute at the burial service held at St Paul Catholic Church,
President Jonathan eulogised Yakowa describing him as a “bridge
builder’’ who loved his people irrespective of their religion and tribe.
“Yakowa was a nationalist. He played his roles very well as a civil
servant of the old not as a civil service of today when a director has
more houses than Dangote. No ethnic or religious divide in his blood,”
he said.
Before
the arrival of Yakowa’s remains, his wife, Amina, told the multitudes
of mourners who thronged her husband’s family house that her husband
worked for peace, unity and development of the state.The mother
of four who wept profusely as she spoke in Hausa, further stated that
she believed that Yakowa died for the same course.
She said, in everything the deceased did while he held sway as Governor, the entire people of the state came first in his mind.
“God knows why this has happened to us at this time, so please let’s give thanks to God Almighty”.
As
the corpse arrived in a motorcade, more tears freely rolled down the
faces of those present including eminent personalities and top
politicians. Most were seen sobbing irrepressibly as only a few managed
to control their emotions .
Those who attended the requiem mass
include: Senate President David Mark, Speaker, House of Representatives,
Aminu Tambuwal, and at least ten ministers and nine bishops led by
former president of Christian Association of Nigeria, Cardinal John
Onaiyekan.
Also in attendance were some state Governors: Rotimi
Ameachi of Rivers, Idris Wada of Kogi, Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo and
Babangida Aliyu of Niger.
Others are Peoples Democratic Party
National Chairman Bamanga Tukur and former Head States, Abdusalami
Abubakar among other dignitaries.
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