Gov Zulum condoles Bauchi Governor over death of brother

From David Kuvie Bauchi

Governor of Borno State, Babagana  Zulum, has led a high-powered  delegation  to Bauchi State to condole  Bala Mohammed over the death of his elder brother.

Bappa Mohammed, 69, died on Sunday at a Turkish Hospital in Turkiye after a prolonged illness.

Zulum’s plane landed at the Abubakar Tafawa International airport Bauchi at about 5:01 pm  on Sunday. 

Aboard  were  members of Zulum’s cabinet and the Speaker of  the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdulkarim Lawan, who led lawmakers on the condolence visit with the governor.

Zulum, who is the Chairman of the North East Governors’ Forum, was received at the airport by the Secretary to the Bauchi State Government, Barrister Ibrahim Muhammed Kashim and other top government officials.

Speaking at Ramat House where he was received by Governor Mohammed in company with his elder brother, Salmanu Mohammed, the Tafida Duguri, Zulum described the death of the governor’s elder as a huge loss.

“We are here on behalf of the government and good people of Borno State and on behalf of my family to commiserate with you over the demise of your elder brother,” he said.

While praying  for the  soul of the deceased to have eternal rest, Zulum said the death occurred when he  was on an official assignment outside Nigeria.

“It was just two days ago l learnt you lost your brother. This loss is not only to you but to me and the entire people of Borno State because relationship between my humble self and  Governor Bala Mohammed need not to be overemphasised,” he said

“Nothing that will happen to him that l won’t sympathise with him. We are so close that’s why we are here to share the grief over this monumental loss.

“May God give you and the people of Bauchi State the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss”

Zullum appreciated the governor for sending his top officials, traditional rulers and technocrats to welcome him at the airport, saying it was a honour done to him.

Earlier the elder brother of the governor, Salmanu, the Tadidan Duguri, who spoke on behalf of the family, appreciated Governor Zulum for the condolence visit.

Salmanu described the deceased as a God fearing and selfless man who served country and community passionately.

He said that their late elder brother, who retired as Deputy Director at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) about 10 years ago,  laid the  education foundation for the family that thrives till this day.

In his remark on behalf of his family and the people of Bauchi State, Governor Mohammed who thanked his colleague for the visit, described  Zulum  as a leader that has carved a niche  as a Beacon of hope for governors of the North East.

“Your leadership style is worthy of emulation,” He said of his Borno counterpart.

“I did not l know you are coming and l know you are busy and even received condolences in Borno this morning so on behalf of the people of Bauchi State we are also conveying our condolences to you

“We thank you for coming. We lost a brother who has a semblance of attributes like you. He was a man of the people who related with both the mighty and small, the high and mighty, a man who made excellent contributions  to my emergence as a governor  to prominence.

“I lost a father and a brother. Our family is highly knitted and educated and he was highly educated with two degrees, one MA, one MBA after a degree in economics. He was selfless and had structure everything and we tried to live like him and he contributed to the growth and development of Bauchi State and built so many mosques and Islamic schools and mentored many” 

“Your leadership has brought pride to all of us in the north east. You have done so much. I have worked closely with you. You are a young man but I wish to say you are the eldest among us. You are the Chairman of the North East Governor’s forum where you look at all the development challenges in northern Nigeria and indeed the country.  you have shown pedigree in your leadeship.Your courage we try to emulate a little. They call me Kaura but l think you are ghw Kaura if the North East. 

“You bear all the miscreants and challatants. Today even Mr President has acknowledged your efforts. Boko Haram has evaporated and we are proud of you”

He was survived by his wife, five children and two brothers namely; Adamu Mohammed, the Wakilin Bauchi and Governor Bala Mohammed.

The deceased was buried on Monday in Turkey according to Islamics injunctions in accordance with Islamic rites.