Sunday, 4th February, 2024 was referred to a sad and black day for the people of Yobe State as they woke up with the sad news of the death of the 75-year-old first civilian governor as well as two time senator of the federal republic of the Nigeria, representing Yobe East, Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim.
The death of the former governor was announced by the Yobe State through the director general Press Affairs and Media to the Governor Alhaji Mamman Mohammed where governor Mai Mala Buni said the deceased died while receiving treatment for a protracted illness in Saudi Arabia and was buried there.
The governor has immediately after announcing the death, directed that all other aspects of condolences among other committals rites has been taken over by the state government to accord the former governor a state honour.
The death announcement reads, “It is with a heavy heart, sorrow, and sympathy that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Yobe state, Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON, regretted to announce the passing away of His Excellency, Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim, the former Governor of Yobe state.
“Sen. Bukar died today while receiving treatment for a protracted illness in Saudi Arabia and will be buried there.
“Governor Buni has directed all other aspects of the funeral and condolences to be taken over by the state government to accord the late governor a state burial and honour.”
Buni who described the death of Bukar Abba as a huge loss prayed to Allah (SWT) to forgive his shortcomings and admit him into Aljannatu Firdaus.
He further directed condolences with regards to the death to be received by himself at the Government house’s Juma’at mosque where thousands of sympathizers among other dignitaries thronged to commiserate with the governor and people of Yobe State over the death.
Similarly, governor Buni equally declared Wednesday, 7th of February, 2024 as a work free day to enable people across the state to observe the third prayer in addition to paying last respect to the former governor.
A statement issued by the director general Press Affairs and Media to the Governor Alhaji Mamman Mohammed said, “The Yobe state Governor His Excellency Hon. Mai Mala Buni CON has declared Wednesday 7th February 2024 as a work free day to observe the third day prayers for late former Governor of the state, Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim.
“Gov. Buni gave the declaration today, saying the day should be used to offer prayers for the former Governor who died in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
“He urged the people of the state to use the period to pray for the repose of the soul of the late governor.
“The three days’ prayers for the late former governor who died and was buried in the Holy Land will be offered at the Government House Mosque, Damaturu.
“Yobe state government officially took over the funeral and condolences rites to honour the late governor,” the statement said.
Throughout last week, governor Buni has in the company of government officials and the family of the late governor, been receiving condolences from sympathisers including the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, that of Borno, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, ministers, senators and members of the diplomatic corps, former governors and ministers among others who visited Government House Damaturu for the condolence.
The VP while speaking during the condolence visit described the late Bukar Abba as an icon of humility who spent his entire life in serving the interest of the people of Yobe State, northeast and the country as a whole.
“Is a sad day, a sad week for the people of Yobe, Is a sad day, a sad week for the people of Borno, northeast and the nation as a whole. Borno and Yobe are like seamless twins. Hardly do you know where Borno ends and where Yobe begins.
“I am here at the instance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to commiserate with the government and good people of Yobe State over the sad loss of the patriarch of Yobe, of the architect of modern Yobe, of an elder statesman per excellence late Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim. An epitome of kindness, an icon of humility, one of the last great of titans, we’re surely going to miss him,” Shettima stated.
Governor Buni while responding to the VP, governors among other personalities for the condolence visit thanked them for sharing the pains of the exit of Bukar Abba with the government and people of Yobe State and prayed to God to reward them abundantly.
