The Chairman or the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Governor Abdullaziz Yari of Zamfara state has mourned the death of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuade Olubuse 11 and the Deputy Governor of Borno state, Alhaji Zannah Umaru Mustapha, describing the death of the foremost Yoruba monarch and the deputy governor as a great loss to the nation.
Reacting to the death of Oba Sijuade, the governor in a statement by his media consultant, Mr. Christian Ogodo and made available to journalists in Abuja, said the legacies of the late traditional ruler to the development of the Yoruba race and Nigeria will remain indelible in the annals of Nigerian history.
Governor Yari said the late Ooni wasn’t only a distinguished monarch of the Yorubas, but a nationalist and business mogul par excellence.
According to the governor, the late Oba Sijuade was a modern Titan of modern Nigeria, who built bridges across ethnic and religious divides in his lifetime.
“Oba Sijuade was a man of impeccable charisma and a peace maker, who believed in the unity and indivisibility of our country, Nigeria. During his life time, he represented an epitome of not just a Spartan life but one of discipline, charity, humility that should be emulated by all,” he added.
He consoled with the government and people of Osun state and the Yorubas both home and abroad.
On the late Borno deputy governor, the NGF chairman said his death was a rude shock to the nation, especially at this time when all efforts are geared towards ending the terrorist insurgency in the North East region of the nation.
“Alhaji Zannah Mustapha died at a time when his services were most needed by the people and government of Borno state and Nigeria,” he said.
The loss of the deputy governor will be greatly missed especially by the All Progressives Congress (APC) because of his sterling qualities and contributions to the stability and development of Borno state in particular and Nigeria in general.
He prayed for the repose of the soul of the late deputy governor and charged the family and the government, and people of Borno state to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude.
