By ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi –
The Gun Zaar Select of the Zaar Chiefdom in Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro local government areas of Bauchi state, rtd. Air Commodore Ishaku Komo, has declared a seven day prayer and fasting following the deaths of prominent people from the area.
He made the declaration in a speech at the burial of a retired Warrant Officer of the Nigerian Army, the father-in-law of Yakubu Dogara, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Stephen Gonto, at the Church of Christ in Nations, Mwari, Bogoro LGA.
Komo who said that they were saddened by the deaths of prominent people who have died in recent times, explained that the spiritual exercise was to seek for God’s forgiveness and intervention in the Zaar Chiefdom.
Although he did not give a list of those whom he said died recently, our Correspondent reports that besides Gonto who died on December 25th, 2020 at 78, another prominent indigene lost in the area was an Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), in charge of Zone 8 comprising of Kogi, Kwara and Ekiti states, Yunana Babas. He died on January 14th, 2021 from an undisclosed ailment.
The Gun Zaar Select who said that “we have been passing through troubled times in Zaar Chiefdom,” prayed to God to have mercy on their land and stop the deaths.
He said: “We, in Zaar Chiefdom, have experienced so many deaths in recent times and we are saddened and pained by these deaths. We don’t really understand what is happening, but I am declaring a seven day prayer and fasting for us to seek the face of God.
“I know CAN (Christian Association of Nigeria) in Tafawa Balewa and Bogoro LGAs previously led the people on three days prayer and fasting but I want them to please, put heads together with us (the Chiefdom) to plan this exercise.
“The Bible said that if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will forgive their sons and heal their land. We want God hear us and heal our land.”
Former Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, who currently represents Dass/Bogoro/Tafawa Balewa Federal Constituency, in his tribute, described his father-in-law as a man of unrivaled bravity with the face and heart of a soldier tempered by military training.
He said: “He fought wars but loved and worked for peace as if everything dependent on it. He was very uncompromising but forger of consensus on so many fronts, firm and as a rock but very loving and caring.
“No doubts our hearts are filled with pains occasioned by your sudden departure but we are nonetheless comforted by the fact that you led an effective life.”
Dogara’s wife, Gimbiya, the first daughter of the deceased said: “If given another opportunity to choose father, I would choose you again and again as a father who made a difference.
“He is selfless who gives his last for others a lover of peace, your sacrificial life Worth emulating you though me from childhood to value family and others. Baba, you shall be greatly missed, rest in the bosom of our Lord.”
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