The Etsu Nupe Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar has expressed sadness over the death of Hajiya Fatima Yawo Yahaya, the mother of the former secretary to the Niger state government and presently Pro-chancellor, Abdulkadir Kure University, Prof Muhammad Kuta Yahaya, Magartakada Nupe.
The monarch said the passing of Hajiya Fatima at 99 in Abuja Sunday night was a big loss to the people of Bida emirate, Niger state and the nation as a whole.
According to Etsu Nupe, who is Chairman, Niger Council of Traditional Rulers, the deceased lived a life worthy of emulation, adding she was a strict disciplinarian, pious and humble mother.
He said that although the vacuum created by her demise would be difficult to fill, she is survived by sons and daughters who were making invaluable contributions to national development.
“The deceased showed love to the people who live in her domain, irrespective of tribe and religious inclination.
“In spite of these, she was a Godly woman who had the interest of her people at heart above any other thing,” the traditional ruler said in a condolence message.
Alhaji Abubakar also described her as a committed technocrat, patriotic woman and a de-tribalised Nigerian.
“Though God has his reasons for taking her at this point in time, the people of the state have enjoyed her motherly advice, which will be greatly missed,” the royal father added.
The Etsu Nupe, however, urged the deceased family to sustain her good legacy, adding that she always put the unity of the country first, irrespective of ethnic, political and religious divides.
He prayed to God to grant her soul eternal rest in Aljannatul Fildausi, reward her soul in eternity and give his family and the emirate the fortitude to bear the loss.
The remains of the late Hajiya Fatima Yahaya has been slated for burial at 2 pm Monday, April 28, 2025, in her country home, Patibokugi, Doko District, Niger state.