ABUJA – The Chairman of National Conference, Justice Idris Kutigi (rtd) on Monday thanked the delegates for their show of love and ensuring a befitting burial for his late wife, Maryamu.
Kutigi, who commended the cooperation among the Muslims and Christian delegates during plenary in Abuja, said he was overwhelmed by their support.
Maryamu, 70, died on May 28 at the National Hospital in Abuja and was buried in line with Islamic rites.
The chairman said the Christian delegates were with the family in the mosque, at home and at the graveyard.
“Thank you very much for the support and cooperation given to me and my family. I was surprised to see many of you come to our house and the graveyard.
“I never thought that you could do this. Christians followed Muslims to the mosque, house and graveyard, the entire family is overwhelmed.
“In fact, I was made to believe that there is no religious problem in Nigeria. The family is grateful,” he said.
He equally thanked the female delegates, who made out time to condole with the family.
The conference Deputy Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, commended Kutigi, who despite that his late wife was in the hospital, was committed to his duties in the conference.
“It is proper to formally draw the attention of the conference to the fact that in spite of the illness of the wife of the chairman, he still attended every single sitting.
“He only created time to visit the sick wife in the hospital after we formally adjourn the day’s sitting.
“This was a demonstration of sacrifice and commitment to this cause and I think it is worthy of recognition by this conference,” he said.
Akinyemi, thereafter, informed delegates that the secretariat had extended its condolence message to former Governor of Oyo State, Sen Rashidi Ladoja, over the demise of his son, Adebola.
Adebola, whose father is a delegate to the conference was said to have died when a truck rammed into his car while driving along the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.
Akinyemi said a solidarity message had also been sent to the Emir of Askira, Mai Abdullahi Ibn Muhammadu, who escaped an assassination attempt in an ambush laid by Boko Haram.
The convoy of the Emir, a delegate to the conference and other dignitaries was intercepted on their way to the funeral of late Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Shehu Abubakar.
The deputy chairman further informed delegates that Malam Ado Yakubu had replaced Adamu Muazu as Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) delegate. (NAN)
