By Amuda Dan Sulaiman Fab
The FCT Minister of State, Dr Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has described the death of Maigari of Lokoja, His Royal Highness Alh. Dr. Muhammadu Kabir Maikarfi III, as a great loss to his family, Lokoja Chiefdom, Kogi state and Nigeria in general.
The Minister, who was reacting to the death of the Maigari on Thursday in Abuja, said that the death of the monarch was very painful and had created a wide vacuum which would be difficult to fill.
Dr Aliyu, who expressed shock and sadness over the death of the late Maigari, described him as a humble father known for fairness and justice
She said she received with “profound sadness,” news of the passing away of the Maigari, late Alh. Dr. Muhammadu Kabir Maikarfi III.
The Minister said ‘’on behalf my family, I wish to extend our heartfelt commiseration to Governor Yahaya Bello, the Lokoja Traditional Council, the people of Lokoja and Kogi state on the passage of the highly respected monarch.
Dr Aliyu who is also the Zinariya of Lokoja, lamented that the Maigari’s death had come at a very crucial moment in Nigeria’s national experience, “a time when the nation is working with dignified lovers of peace to institute harmony among various groups.”
She said his contribution to peace in northern Nigeria and the country would be dearly missed.
The Minister further explained that the late Maigari showed love to people who live in his domain, irrespective of their tribe and religious inclination, describing the deceased as a “godly man, who has the interest of his subjects at heart above any other thing”.
“The late monarch lived exemplary life worthy of emulation; his forgiving spirit was exceptional”.
The Minister urged the deceased’s family to sustain his good legacy, adding that he always put the unity of the country first.
She further described the death of the Maigari as “a monumental loss” to the people of the state and the nation at large, “especially now that the country desires pious and trustworthy community leaders that would preach and dwell on things that can promote peace and tranquillity as well as foster the unity of the country”.
Dr Aliyu prayed that Allah reward his soul with Al-Jannah Firdausi and to as well grant his immediate family, the formidable fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
