By Tom Garba, Yola
The Deputy Governor of Borno State Alh Umar Zannah Mustapha has been confirmed dead .He died in his Homtel Hotel room which is along Barracks road in Yola Adamawa state.
The Borno state Government has since issued a press statement confirming his demise as a result of heart attack while on official assignment in Yola to witness the 18th,19th and 20th convocation ceremonies of Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola .
He had also been schedule to afterwards visit the Borno state internally displaced persons (IDPs) who are being camped in Yola.
His burial arrangement is announced to take place today in Maiduguri by 4pm.
A statement by Secretary to the State Government, Usman Jidda Shuwa said “It is with deep sense of utter shock and disbelief but with complete submission to the will of the Almighty Allah that the Borno State Government hereby announces the passing away of His Excellency, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha, the Deputy Governor of Borno State.
“He died in his sleep this morning in Yola, Adamawa State where he was to represent Borno State Government at the convocation ceremony of Modibbo Adama University of Science and Technology, Yola.
“He was also scheduled to follow up on his earlier visit to Yola, in connection with the welfare of Borno State citizens internally displaced as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency.
“His remains would be brought to Maiduguri for funeral at the Government House, Maiduguri at 4pm today, Saturday, 15th August, 2015. He will be buried in Maiduguri.
“His Excellency, Hon. Kashim Shettima, the Executive Governor of Borno State, expresses his heartfelt condolence to the family of the Deputy Governor and the entire people of Borno State for the irreparable loss and appealed for prayers for the repose of the soul of our late Deputy Governor.
“May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace, Ameen.”
Meanwhile,President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed shock and immense sadness over news of the passing away of the Deputy Governor of Borno State , Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha.
Presidential Spokesman,Femi Adesina said in a statement “On behalf of himself and the Federal Government, President Buhari extends heartfelt condolences to the late Deputy Governor’s immediate family and his relatives.
“The President similarly commiserates with Governor Kashim Shettima and the entire people of Borno State on the loss of Alhaji Zannah who passed away while on an official assignment in Yola, Adamawa State.
“President Buhari joins Governor Shettima, members of Alhaji Zannah’s family, his friends, political associates, colleagues in the Borno State Government, constituents and supporters in praying that Almighty Allah will receive his soul and grant him eternal rest” Adesina said.
Also, a statement said Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, today (Saturday) received with shock the news of the death of the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha.
Saraki in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sanni Onogu, in Abuja, said it was difficult to believe the information that a man he met in Borno about a week ago during his tour of some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Maiduguri could have left this world so soon.
Saraki said: “When I met Umar Mustapha in Maiduguri, he was so full of life that it could not have crossed ones imagination that we were meeting for the last time.
“He came across to me as a complete gentleman who was doing all in his power to assist his principal, Governor Kashim Shettima not only to defeat insurgency in the zone, but to bring succour to the entire people of Borno State, especially those adversely affected by the insurgency.
“It is a pity that today he is not going to witness the imminent end of the mindless bloodletting and destruction of property being visited on a peaceful and hospitable people in the North-East zone of the country.
“We can only take solace in the fact that he lived a good life and died in the service of his people. He was a complete gentleman and a devoted servant-leader. May Almighty Allah grant him a place among the righteous ones in Aljannah Firdaus”, Saraki stated.
The Senate President however commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, the Governor and people of Borno State and prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the sad incident.
He added that “Only the complete and total eradication of insurgency from every part of the North-East and other affected parts of the country can serve as a befitting tribute to this great Nigerian who has departed so soon.”
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has equally expressed deep shock and sadness at the sudden death of the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha.
In a statement issued in Lagos on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party described Alhaji’s Zannah’s demise as a huge loss to his family, his party, his state and indeed to Nigeria.
”The suddenness of Alhaji’s Zannah’s passing has deepened the pain caused by his death,” it said, praying that God will comfort his family and give them the fortitude to bear their irreparable loss.
The APC also commiserated with the people and government of Borno State over the Deputy Governor’s death, and prayed that God will grant repose to his soul.
