Igalamela-Odolu: Late Alh Yunusa Laid to Rest Amid Tears and Encomiums

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In the early hours of Friday, 9th September,  2015, Igalamela/Odolu local government lost an iconic personality.  Late.  Alhaji Yunusa Abdullahi,  Gago-Ajaka was admired and respected by many across the length and breath of Igalamela/Odolu.  When news of his death broke early on Friday, shock and sadness could be easily observed on the faces of many.

The funeral rites,  which was observed immediately after the Muslim Friday Jummat prayer recorded an epic turnout of genuine sympathizers. Hundreds of people from different works of life, geographical boundaries,religions affiliations and political divides, came in large numbers to pay their last respects. To many, a hero was gone.

During the funeral prayer which was said in accordance with Islamic rights,  the Chief Imam of Ajaka,  Alhaji Buniyamin Haruna, flanked by other prominent Islamic Clerics, offered prayers to God for the peaceful repose of the soul of Alhaji Yunusa Abdullahi.  Alhaji Buniyamin described the deceased as “an exemplary Muslim who devoted his life to honesty and charity” . Similarly,  the Chairman of Igalamela Muslim Council,  Alhaji Sanni Ayikoye also God to “grant Alhaji Yunusa Abdullahi eternal rest and.  He equally prayed God to give those he has left behind the wisdom and grace to protect their father’s legacies”.

Kogi House of Assembly member representing Igalamela/Odolu Constituency, Hon.  Friday Sani Makama,  Immediate past Chairman of Igalamela/Odolu,  Com.  Zakito Umar,  NUJ Chairman Com.  Ali Atabo and the immediate past Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Hon. Sule Ikani Atakele all made their presence felt at the funeral. Others included the State Chairman of NULGE,  Mr.  Tom Abutu,  Elder and Senior APC member,  Hon Ali Ugbane, immediate past Senior Special Assistant to the governor on SURE-P,  Hon.  Mathias M. Ocheni and the immediate past Igalamela/Odolu SLG,  Hon. Aliyu Hawa Musa.

Addressing the press shortly after interment,  Member representing Igalamela/Odolu Hon.  Friday Sani Makama described the death of Alhaji Yunusa Abdullahi as “a huge loss to his immediate family and the local government as a whole”. “His demise has left a huge vacuum that will be difficult to fill” he added. He however asked God to “grant the children of the deceased the wisdom to fill the void created by their father’s demise.”

Also speaking, the immediate past Executive Igalamela/Odolu, Com. Zakito Umar expressed his condolences to the entire family, “especially Igalamela/Odolu NULGE Chairman, Com. Tahirudeen Yunusa Abdullahi”. He described the diseased “as a man endowed with exceptional wisdom”. Adding that “he will be greatly missed for his wisdom, patriotism, honesty and strong commitment to the growth and sustenance of peace and unity”. He called on the people of the area to rally round the family to enable them overcome the tragedy.

In his remark,  Kogi State Chairman of NULGE  Mr Tom Abutu stated that “my presence at the funeral was to sympathise with the family of the diseased especially my colleague, comrade and friend, Alhaji Tahirudeen Yunusa Abdullahi over the tragic loss of their father”.adding that “I have heard many distinguished persons testify positively to the legacies left behind by Alhaji Yunusa Abdullahi which to me are very impressive. I pray that God will grant the family the fortitude to bear the loss”.

Alhaji Yunusa Abdullahi died in the early hours of Friday,  9th September, 2016 after a protracted illness.  He was survived by wives, children,  grandchildren. And great grandchildren.  One of his sons,  Alhaji Tahirudeen Yunusa Abdullahi is Igalamela/Odolu Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).


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