… As Senate President, Dangote, Aisha Buhari, Remi Tinubu join mourning train
The sleepy town of Gudi, country home of the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has been the centre of attraction since the early hours of Friday following the passage of the Governor’s first son, Hassan who died at the age of 36 years.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, governors from across the country and other prominent Nigerians from all walks of life continue to troop into Gudi, to mourn and condole the family.
The latest visitors include Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Group, accompanied by the Governor of Niger State, Abubakar Sani Bello, who arrived the palace of the Sarkin Gude, HRH Alhaji Sule Bawa, late evening on Saturday.
Dangote described the passing on of the late Hassan as a test from God, stressing that, in life, there is nothing that is as certain as death.
“It’s certain that as long as a person is born, there is a set date that he must leave the earth,” he said, adding that, “we are not in any position to question the act of God, our Creator.
“It’s not in our position to try to question the why behind the act of God, but to pray for the repose of the soul of the departed.”
Earlier, Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, said he was in Gudi to condole the family of Sule over the sudden demise of Hassan, adding that, as a people of faith, death is an ultimate end.
“We have been taught and we know that every life will taste of death, therefore, it’s a fact, that all of us will have to pass on at a determined time,” the Senate President said.
Senator Ahmed Lawan said he shared in the grief with the Sarkin Gude, the first family and the entire people of Nasarawa State.
Also in Gudi to condole their colleague, Yobe and Kogi States governors, Mai Mala Buni and Alhaji Yahaya Bello, were at the palace of the Sarkin Gude.
The Kogi Governor, who spoke on their behalf, said they came to condole their colleague, the Emir of Gude and people of Nasarawa State, over the demise of Hassan and those that were bombed few hours back in the state, as well as all those who lost their lives as a result of one unfortunate incident or another.
“When I received the sad news yesterday, I could just imagine what my brother was passing through.
“It’s so sad that leadership is such that you will be smiling while you are suffering.
“Ordinarily, he should not be seen outside by this time, as a result of all these unfortunate incidents.
“But from Almighty Allah we came and unto Him we shall all return. When and how, we don’t know,” he said.
Hajiya Aisha Buhari, wife of President Muhammadu, was also in Gudi to commiserate with the Sule family.
Represented by Dr. Rukkaya Gurin, Senior Special Assistant, the Nigerian First Lady, commiserated with Sule and his wife, over the demise of their son Hassan.
On her part, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, said she was heartbroken when she received the sad news of the passing of Hassan.
Accompanied on the visit by Hajiya Nana Shettima, wife of the APC Vice Presidential candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima, Mrs Tinubu said she was talking with the Nasarawa State First Lady, Hajiya Slifat Abdullahi Sule, while preparing to visit the State for the presidential campaign rally of her husband when she got the sad news.
“We know is it God who gives life and it is the one who takes life. And we cannot question Him. We came to offer our condolences to His Excellency and pray that God will comfort him and grant the soul of our departed son, Aljanna.
“And we pray that God will comfort the mother as well,” Mrs. Tinubu said.
Other dignitaries who visited Gudi to commiserate with the Nasarawa first family include the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, Minister of Environment, Muhammad Hassan Abdullahi, former Governors of Adamawa and Bauchi States, Jubrilla Bindow and M. A Abubakar, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mallam Yayale Ahmed, among others.