Former Niger State Gov, Kure lay to rest amidst encomiums

Olabode Adaramola

Minna, Niger State capital was a Mecca of sorts on Wednesday as friends, political associates, former members of the executive council that served during the  8 year rule of the late former state governor, Eng. Abdullahi Abdulkadir Kure  as well as  sympathizers stormed his Minna,  GRA residence of the deceased to pay their last respect and bid him farewell.

League of Imams led by the Chief Imam of Minna, Sheikh Ibrahim Abu Fari had earlier in the morning conducted a special prayer session on the remains of the former governor and for his family.

The cleric’s prayer session was a follow up to series of prayers which was kick started by the Etsu Lapai, Alh. Umar Bago Tafida, Estu Agaie, Alh. Yusuf Nuhu and Emir of Minna, Alh. Farouq Bahago after the body of the late former governor arrived Minna on Tuesday night on board a Chartered Aircraft from Germany en route Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Many dignitaries took their turns to offer prayers on the remains of the erstwhile governor before his body was driven to the Eid-praying ground Minna for Janizar prayers.

The early callers include former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ibrahim Mantu, former Governor of Sokoto, Alh. Attahiru Bafarawa, former Minister of Information, Prof.  Jerry Gana, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and Minister of Defence, Alhaji  Yayale Ahmed and Daar Communication Chairman, Chief Raymond Dokepsi.

Others include Colonel Habibu Shuaibu, a former military administrator of the state, Dr. Shem Nuhu Zagbayi, former deputy governor of the state, serving and former members’ national and state assembly and political leaders from different political parties.

The body was later brought out of the house at about 11:24am. It was a herculean task to ferry the body in a distance less than 10 metres from the house to ambulance more than 6 minutes, as people surge in to have a last touch ‎of the body.

The shout of “Allahu Akubar” rented the air as both men and women broke down in tears.