Delta Governor, Sen. (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, has sent condolences to his Bauchi State counterpart, Alhaji Bala Mohammed and wife, Aisha, on the death of his mother in-law, Hajiya Fatimah Usman.

Hajiya Usman reportedly died on Monday at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching

Hospital, Bauchi, at 75.

Condoling with Mohammed, the government and people of Bauchi state, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba. Okowa urged the governor and his wife, Aisha, to take solace in the fact that their mother lived a good life during which she made invaluable contribution to the course of humanity.

He paid glowing tribute to the deceased for being a good mother and joined the family and people of the state to mourn the departed mother of Her Excellency, Hajia Aisha Bala-Mohammed.

According to the governor, the family should be consoled in the fact that their mother lived to witness the successes of her children, including the emergence of her son-in-law, Bala Mohammed, as Governor of Bauchi State.

“We received the news of the demise of your beloved mother-in-law with sadness, but we are consoled by the fact that she lived a life of dedicated service to humanity.

“Hajiya Usman was a strong pillar in her community, a good woman and a devout Muslim and would be missed by all those whose lives she affected in positive ways.

“We share in your sorrow and pains at this period and we pray that God will grant you and the family the courage to bear the loss, as we also pray for the repose of the soul of your departed mother.

“On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I mourn with you, my brother Governor, Alhaji Bala Mohammed, on the unfortunate demise of your beloved mother-in-law,” Okowa said.

Okowa has, meanwhile, congratulated the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, as he marks his 15th year on the throne and as the leader of Muslim Ummah and Chairman, Sokoto State Council of Traditional Rulers.

The governor, in a statement by his spokesman, Olisa Ifeajika, in Asaba, on Wednesday, described the Sultan as a patriotic monarch and leader committed to promoting peace, unity and religious harmony in the country.

He said that Nigerians remained grateful to the Sultan, who is also the President-General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) for his astute contributions to peaceful co-existence and religious tolerance across the country.

The governor remarked that the monarch’s positions and wise counseling on national issues had continued to help in keeping leaders and followers on track, and urged him to remain unrelenting in that trajectory.

"On behalf of my family, the government and people of Delta, I congratulate His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, on the occasion of his 15th anniversary on the exalted throne.

“We celebrate your exemplary role as head of Jama’atul Nasir Islam (JNI), President-General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and co-Chairman of Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC).

“We also appreciate your contributions to the promotion and protection of human life and dignity of man.

“As you continue to use your privileged position to promote peace, unity and positive development in the Caliphate and across the country, be assured of the support, partnership and co-operation of the government and people of Delta.

“It is my prayer that Almighty God grants you many more years on the throne in good health to continue your patriotic services to the nation,” he said.

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