Some prominent politicians, friends and associates of an elder statesman, Bashir Othman-Tofa, who died on Monday have stormed Kano State on Wednesday to condole with the family of the deceased.
Coming under the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, of which the deceased was a member, the delegation was led by Professor Ango Abdullahi.
Arriving at the residence of late Tofa at about 1:15pm, the delegation met with the family and condoled with them over the death of their friend and associate, describing his passing away as a national loss.
While introducing members of the delegation to the family, Nastura Ashraf, the Coordinator, Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG, burst into tears.
Mr Nastura described Mr Tofa’s death as shocking to him and to any other Northern progressive.
Also speaking, another member of the delegation, M.B Wali, extolled the virtues of the Late Tofa, describing him as a nationalist who was passionate about unity of Nigeria and had the North at heart.
While recalling that he and the deceased lived in the same house when they were in school in London, Mr Wali said he knew Mr Tofa for over 60 years.
Mr Wali, who could not hold back his tears, continued to recite some verses of the Holy Quran and supplications amidst sobering until the end of the prayer.
Speaking earlier, the spokesman of NEF, Hakim Baba-Ahmed, said they came to Kano to condole with the family of the deceased and the people of Kano.
According to him, Mr Tofa’s good legacies would not be forgotten forever.
He said: “We cannot enumerate the good deeds and legacies of late Tofa. He was a good person that always wished to help humanity.
“Bashir Tofa died serving humanity. Let me use this opportunity to call on his children and grandchildren to emulate his virtues so that his good deeds shall continue forever.
“We also pray for Allah’s mercy to be with him forever and may the Almighty give us and his family the fortitude to bear the loss,” he added.
Earlier, the delegation visited one of the friends of the deceased, Sule Hamma, at his residence to condole with him.
In his short remarks, Mr Hamma disclosed that Mr Tofa had left a will that if he died, there would be no mourning sitting, adding that the same will was made to his family.
He said: “So, we will not be holding mourning sitting based on his will. But, that does not mean we will not be praying for him. We will continue to pray for him forever,” said Mr Hamma.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the delegation also visited the emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero and Kano’s business mogul, Aminu Dantata at his residence as part of the condolence visit.
The delegation also visited the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Nasiru Gawuna, at his office, where they also prayed for Mr Tofa.
