The Deputy Governor of Niger State, Comrade Yakubu Garba, has joined his principal, Farmer Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, and other sympathisers for the funeral rites of the governor's father-in-law, Sarkin Malamin Nupe, and Alhaji Muhammadu Egba Enagi.
The late Alhaji Muhammadu Egba Enagi, who was the village head of Dikko Enagi, died Saturday evening at the age of 88, leaving behind children: Senator Zainab Abdulkadir Kure, wife of the former Governor of Niger State; Hajiya Amina Jummai Gimba; General Muhammad Abba Diko; Hajiya Fatima Umaru Bago, the First Lady of Niger State; and many grand and great grandchildren.
The Deputy Governor, in a statement through his Press Secretary, Ummikhaltume Abdullahi Kuta, condoled the first lady and other members of the bereaved family for the death of her father, which he described as a great loss to not only the family but also the state and the country at large.
He described the deceased as an elder statesman and a great man of repute whose vacuum will be difficult to fill.
Comrade Garba also urged the family of Egba Enagi to take his demise as an act of God, as God giveth and taketh, saying the elder stateman is a father to all and has lived a life worthy of emulation.
Special prayers were offered for the late Egba Enagi, his family, the state, and the country in general.
The remains of the late Sarkin Malamin Nupe and village head of Dikko Enagi, Alhaji Muhammadu Egba Enagi, were laid to rest on Sunday afternoon in his country home, according to an Islamic injunction.