Broadcast to the Citizens of Kaduna State by His Excellency, Alhaji Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, The Executive Governor of Kaduna State on Sunday 16th, December 2012
Fellow Citizens of Kaduna State;
During my swearing-in ceremony, I made a brief speech where I made it clear that it was with heaviness of heart that I spoke after fulfilling a constitutional requirement of the Federal republic of Nigeria
The sad event that befell Kaduna State on Saturday 15th December 2012 is already public knowledge. Our amiable Governor, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa (CON), Dan Masanin Gwong, has suddenly left us by answering the call of our Creator. Indeed, from Him we all came and to Him we would all, one day, return.
In-between these periods is the privilege we have to serve humanity. We are living testimonies to the fact that our amiable Governor, Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, who came, did serve humanity in various and diverse capacities well and has suddenly without notice, returned to our creator.
His humility, dedication to duty and fairness to all and his high sense of humour endeared him to many, near and far irrespective of religious, tribal or sectional inclinations. No wonder he was given the name Nakowa.
The vision of Sir Patrick Yakowa, Nakowa, was to secure, unite and develop Kaduna State. He invested so much in this and started reaping the fruits of his labour.
He wished to consolidate and advanced on the achievements so far made and hence tagged Kaduna State’s 2013 Budget, which he presented to the Honourable House of Assembly on Thursday 13, December 2012 as the ‘Budget of Consolidation and Advancement.’
I sincerely desire to build on the good foundation that my boss had laid. I therefore covet your prayers for God’s wisdom, guidance and direction.
I take this opportunity to commiserate with the wife and immediate family of His Excellency, Sir Patrick Yakowa, in particular, members of the Government of Kaduna State and the entire citizens of the state and Nation over this sad moment we have found ourselves. May God in His infinite mercies comfort us all.
To give honour and due respect to our beloved Governor, the Government of Kaduna State has declared Monday 17th, December 2012 as a work free day in the state and a one week mourning starting from 16th December to 23rd December 2012.
During this period of mourning, all National flags in the State should be flown at half mast. Condolence registers have been opened at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House and General Hassan Usman Katsina House, Kawo Kaduna. To that effect, all Local Government Chairmen are hereby directed to equally open condolence registers in their Local Government Area headquarters.
The sad event that befell us, as we are already aware, had in addition, Mr. Dauda Tsoho from Kaduna State as well as other personalities, prominent among which was the former National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Owoye Azazi. May their gentle souls rest in peace; Amen.
The remains of our beloved Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa and Mr. Dauda Tsoho are expected in Kaduna Monday 17th December 2012. Details of necessary arrangements for their internment would be made known in due course.
I plead with Citizens of Kaduna State to accept this sad situation that we cannot change with total submission to the will of God. Once more, may God Almighty in His infinite mercies comfort us all.
Thank you and God bless us all. Amen
