YAKOWA NA KOWA GOES HOME IN GRAND STYLE ... GOODBYE GOOD MAN,

Yakowa buried at his country home

The remains of former Governor of Kaduna State, Sir Patrick Yakowa were buried at his country home at Fadan Kagoma  on Thursday.
Yakowa died on Saturday, December 15,  in a helicopter crash at Nembe Local government Area of Bayelsa along with five others, including former National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi.

In a tribute at the burial service held at St Paul Catholic Church, President Jonathan eulogised Yakowa describing him as a “bridge builder’’ who loved his people irrespective of their religion and tribe.
“Yakowa was a nationalist. He played his roles very well as a civil servant of the old not as a civil service of today when a director has more houses than Dangote. No ethnic or religious divide in his blood,” he said.
The president pledged the continued support of the government to the immediate family of the deceased.
Earlier in a message, Rev. Mathew Kukah, said no one could neither teach God knowledge nor question his decisions; therefore people should not feel despondent over the death of Yakowa.
He said the deceased died at his appointed time by God and urged the people to ignore those who are wielding suspicious story about his death.
He debunked the purported claim that a section of religious divide in the State was rejoicing over the death of Yakowa, noting that former head of State, Gen Muhammadu Buhari, a devout Muslim, cancelled his 70th birthday in honour of Yakowa.
Kukah said the achievements of Yakowa as governor, particularly in development and in building bridges of unity, were testimonies to the fact that governance was not an exclusive right of a group.
Kukah inspired the youths from southern Kaduna to emulate the good traits of Yakowa and be confident in themselves that they could achieve lofty positions in the state and beyond. He urged them not to surrender to doubts and feelings of inferiority.
He also called on Yakowa’s successor, Governor Ramalan Yero, to ignore the parochial opinion of some people who were still advocating politics of exclusion in the State.
Cardinal John Onaiyekan, assisted by other Clergy conducted the  Requiem and the Eucharist Mass.
Among the dignitaries at the burial were, former Head of State, Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar, the Senate President, Sen. David Mark and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal.
The Chairman of Governors’ Forum, Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers and his wife, Judith, Governors Babangida Aliyu of Niger, Gabriel Suswam of Benue and Oluegun Mimiko of Ondo were also in attendance.