Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno on Monday in Maiduguri mourned the death of elder statesman Alhaji Bukar Mandara, describing him as a true nationalist and philanthropist.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mandara died after a protracted illness at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) on Sunday.
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He was buried on Monday at the Gwange Cemetery in the Maiduguri metropolis.
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Shettima, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Communications, expressed shock over Mandara’s death, saying he was a man who worked tirelessly for the interest of the less privileged.
“I received the death of Mandara with a total shock, although as a Muslim we believe that death is a necessary end to all humans,’’ he said.
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Shettima also described Mandara “as a simple person who lived a fulfilled life which impacted positively on the welfare of Nigerians within and outside Borno, especially the downtrodden.
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“He was a unifying factor for all of us, both the young and old, regardless of ethno-religious diversity. Mandara was a democrat whose politics was always aimed at the downtrodden.
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“This was the reason why he was associated with the defunct National Mass Movement of Nigeria as a political party in Nigeria,’’ the governor said. (NAN)