Northern governors pay tribute to ex-Kaduna deputy gov

The Northern States Governors’ Forum has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Architect Barnabas Yusuf Bala fondly referred to as Bantex.

Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Bako Lalong in a statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Dr Makut Simon Macham, commiserated with his immediate family, the governor and people of Kaduna State over the sad incident.

Lalong described the late deputy governor as an accomplished professional architect, a politician of high repute and integrity, who served his community, state and Nigeria with passion, honesty and patriotism.

He said: “Our brother and friend was a man whose primary concern was on how to ensure that justice, peace and progress prevail among people of various religious and ethnic backgrounds as well as build common ground for peaceful coexistence.

“This was clearly demonstrated in the way he conducted himself as pioneer Secretary General of the Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU); Chairman, Kaura Local Government; member representing Kaura Federal Constituency at the National Assembly; deputy governor of Kaduna State between 2015 and 2019; as well as several other responsibilities he was assigned throughout his lifetime.”

Lalong said apart from his passion for the development of the country, the late Bantex was always desirous of the rapid development and unity of the North as he worked with the forum vigorously towards addressing insecurity, poverty, disease, illiteracy and misunderstandings exacerbated by ethno-religious sentiments.

While praying God to grant his soul eternal rest and comfort his family, Governor Lalong said his legacies will continue to be remembered for a very long time.

Similarly, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi has commiserated with his Kaduna State counterpart, Malam Nasir El-Rufai and the people of the state on the death of the immediate past Deputy Governor of the State, Barnabas Bantex.

Fayemi, in a condolence message to El-Rufai yesterday, described Bantex’s death as unfortunate and a great loss to the people of Kaduna State, considering his contributions to the development of the state.

Governor Fayemi, noted that the late Bantex was a dedicated and loyal deputy governor and a party chieftain whose commitment and contributions to the All Progressives Congress (APC) were quite significant.

He added that the deceased was a detribalised Nigerian and a man who worked to ensure religious tolerance and harmony between Christians and Muslims in the southern part of the state.