By Aideloje Ojo Minna
Niger state government house was yesterday engulfed in grieve over the death of the Director of Protocol (DOP) Haruna Vatsa in his Kaduna residence. Th e news of the passage of the DOP fi ltered into government house at about 4.30pm making Governor Abubakar Sani Bello to rush out of offi ce in palpable grieve and pensive mood. Staff were seen in group mourning the death of the DOP while protocol offi cers were fi lled with emotions discussing the passage of their boss when our correspondent visited the deceased offi ce at government house. In a phone conversation, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Jide Orintusin, said Governor Bello was shocked by the sad news adding that the entire state was mourning the death of Haruna Vatsa.
He said, “Governor Bello is at pains over the loss of the Director of Protocol, Haruna Vatsa. He was a dedicated and excellent staff , who was very sincere in his duty. He was also a longtime friend of the Governor”. He said that the death of the DOP was a monumental lost to the state and the governor in particular adding that the situation at government house is that of pensive mood. Also speaking with Blueprint, the immediate past Director of Protocol, Captain Baro said the deceased was a promising young man who had learnt on the job. He expressed sadness that the DOP has to depart at the time he had stabilized on the job with passion and eagerness to serve the state. He prayed for the repose of his soul and prayed for God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss. Th e deceased who was the fi rst son of late General Mamman Vatsa died after a brief illness