Niger Govt Declares 3-Day Mourning Over Death Of Former Governor

The state Commissioner for Information, Mr Jonathan Vatsa, who announced this in a statement in Minna on Sunday directed that all flags should be at hoisted at half-mast throughout the state during the mourning period.

Vatsa said Gov. Abubakar Bello also declared a work-free day on the day of the burial of the former governor to enable all Nigerlites accord the departed leader a befitting burial.

Vatsa said that the State Government would miss the wise counsel of the former governor, who despite political differences never failed to offer meaningful advice to the present administration.

He recalled that the intervention of the deceased during the recent labour crisis in the state was not only legendary but showed him as an elder statesman whose main concern was for the good, progress and unity of the state.

“Engineer Abdulkadir Abdullahi Kure remain a leader who out of office showed concern for the development of our state,” the commissioner said.

Kure died on Sunday at the age of 60 years in a German hospital after a brief illness. He was taken to the country for kidney related sickness and has been in the hospital for the past three weeks.

Former Head of State, Ibrahim Babangida who expressed shock over the incident said, “The sudden death of former Governor of Niger State, Engineer, Abdulkadir Abdullahi Kure, this afternoon in Germany comes to me in a great Shock but as a believer, ‘All souls must taste dead’ sooner or later.

“My amiable Friend and Companion is gone. We that were left behind are on transit sooner or later”.

Similarly, a former Governor of Niger state, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu described the death of Kure as shocking and devastating.

“I find it difficult to come to terms with the reality that my brother, my friend, has left us so soon. I have been in touch with his wife since he travelled outside the country for treatment. I never knew his time was near.

“Niger state has lost an illustrious son, Nigeria has indeed lost a great human asset. My brother Kure died at a time his contribution was needed. He was a peacemaker, a role model and a bridge builder.

“May Aljannah Firdaus be his abode. May Allah condole his wife, children and the entire Niger state.”