— Sambo, Northern govs, others mour
— Conference adjourns till Monday
By Bode Olagoke
Abuja
National Conference yesterday adjourned till Monday following the news of the death of the wife of the Conference Chairman, Hajiya Maryamu Kutigi, at age of 70.
The retired Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi, reportedly lost his wife at the National Hospital in Abuja at about 2 am yesterday and had already been buried at the Gudu Muslim Cemetery, Abuja, in line with Islamic rites.
Deputy Chairman of the Conference, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, who presided over a brief session of the conference, said it was only proper that the conference be adjourned to enable delegates participate in the burial rite.
Akinyemi, therefore, described the late Maryamu as “a pillar of strength” to the conference chairman, regretted that she had passed on at a time the retired Justice was handling a critical national assignment and needed her closeness and wise counsel.
Akinyemi said it was in demonstration of his deep sense of patriotism and commitment to the affairs of the country that Justice Kutigi continued to preside over the Conference throughout the period the wife was lying ill in the hospital.
Meanwhile, a statement issued by the Assistant Secretary of the Conference, Mr. James Akpandem, said Vice President Namadi Sambo, three former Chief Justices of the Federation, Mohammed Uwais, Alfa Belgore and Daihu Mudsdapher; former President Court of Appeal, Justice Mamman Nasir; and former Speaker of the House of Representative, Ghali Umar N’abba were amongst top dignitaries at the Central Mosque in Abuja where prayers were said for the repose of the soul of the late Maryamu.
Others included former governors of old Borno state, Alhaji Mohammed Goni, Kebbi, Alhaji Mohammed Adamu Aliero; Niger, Brigadier General Lawan Gwadabe (rtd); Akwa Ibom, Obong Victor Attah and Bayelsa State, Chief Diepriye Alamieyeseigha. Former Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomasie; former Secretary to Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae and former Security Boss, Chief Albert Horsfall also paid their last respects to the departed Maryamu.
Former Ministers, Prof. Ihechukwu Madubuike, Prof. Jubril Aminu and Dr Bello Haliru Mohammed, as well as the administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Retired Justice Umaru Eri, were also in attendance alongside the Emir of Suleija, Alhaji Auwaal Ibrahim, and the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Mohammed Sanusi.
It was agreed that proceedings at the plenary will resume on Monday, June 2, with deliberation on more reports of committees and adoption of recommendations contained in the reports.
Also, Governor of Niger state and Chairman Northern States Governor’s Forum (NSGF) Dr. Mua’azu Babangida Aliyu, commiserated with Justice Legbo Idris Kutigi. The governor, in a condolence message issued yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Israel Ebije, expressed the heartfelt concern of the northern governors over the death of the wife of the former Chief Justice of the federation.
“Let me express the pains of the Northern States Governors Forum over the sudden death of Hajiya Maryamu Kutigi. She died at the time her husband needed her most. For us at the forum, it is indeed a huge loss. “We, however, pray that Allah (SWT) will grant her Jannatu Firdausi. It is also our prayers that Justis Kutigi will have the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. We also call on members of the ongoing National Conference to rally round their bereaved Chairman to accomplish the national assignment before them”.