The remains of Governor of Kaduna State Patrick
Ibrahim Yakowa and that of his associate Dauda Tsoho who died in helicopter
crash in Bayelsa State last Saturday arrived in Kaduna yesterday amidst tears
by thousands of sympathisers that thronged the Kaduna Airport.
Their remains were flown to Kaduna in a cargo plane
with registration ARANANOB-URCAG around 2.45pm.
Before the
arrival of the plane which conveyed the corpses, a delegation from Bayelsa
State led by Deputy Governor John Jonah arrived at the airport in a private jet
around 1.40pm.
The remains were
received by Kaduna governor Alhaji Muktar Ramalan Yero, Mrs Amina Yakowa, three
of her four children, heads of security organisations in Kaduna, traditional
rulers and many politicians.
Prayers were
offered by Christians clerics including the Chairman of the Christian
Association of Nigeria,(CAN) Kaduna chapter, Reverend Samuel Kujiyat before the
remains were put into a waiting ambulance with registration number KDGH 156 by
the Nights of St. Mulumba of the Kaduna Archdiocese.
In his remarks
while handing over the remains of the governor, Jonah described the death of
Yakowa as tragic.
“We had a
valedictory session in honour of the late Governor; it was a torching session
because his death was sharp and unexpected. I don’t have the correct words to
describe the shocking mood that is running in Bayelsa State,” he stated
He sympathized with
the people of Kaduna State and advised them to work together with the new
governor with a view to moving the state forward.
Responding, Kaduna
governor Muktar Ramalan Yero thanked the Bayelsa government for the concern
they had shown towards the late governor and his associate Dauda Tsoho.
Meanwhile, Kaduna
State government yesterday released the programme for the burial of former
Governor Patrick Yakowa.
A statement issued
in Kaduna by Governor Mukhtar Yero said a Valedictory Executive Council meeting
would hold today at the Government House by 10am to be followed by a Wake-Keep
in the evening.
It said the corps
will leave St. Gerard Catholic Hospital tomorrow for Fadan Kagoma, Yakowa’s
birth place for burial.
The statement said
Funeral Mass would be conducted at St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Fadan Kagoma
tomorrow at 11 am.
Meanwhile the State
House of Assembly will also hold a valedictory session in honour of the former
governor today.
The information officer of the House of Assembly, Shaibu Abdullahi, said
the session would be presided over by the Speaker, Alhaji Usman Gangara. The
session would hold between 8 am and 9 am at the Assembly in Lugard Hall.