Deputy Senate president, govs mourn veteran actor, Samanja

From Mohammed Ibrahim Yaba, Kaduna; Mumini Abdulkareem, Ilorin & Salim Umar Ibrahim, Kano

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, has expressed his condolences to the family of the late Usman Baba Pategi, popularly known as Samanja Mazan Fama.

The Deputy President of the Senate, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, acknowledged Samanja’s vital role in cultural enrichment and promoting unity through his craft.

Kwara State governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Sunday described the death of Alhaji Usman Baba Patigi (Samanja) as the end of a great era in the Nigerian comedy industry, especially in the northern region.

• Medical Council partners Bloom Public health to strengthen medical labs
• I’ll ensure N/Assembly creates constitutional role for traditional rulers – Tinubu

The governor said Samanja, 81, who was a Prince of Patigi in Kwara State, will be remembered as a pathfinder in what has become known as the Kannywood in the Nigerian movie industry.

According to the governor, the late veteran “Was a colossus who bestrode the entertainment industry for decades.

Similarly, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has commiserated the family, members of Hausa film industry and Kwara State government over the passing of the veteran actor.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the governor recalled that the late Pategi’s character in Samanja Mazan Fama series represented discipline, resilience and moral standards for socio-cultural and national development.

The governor challenged all the stakeholders in the Hausa film industry to emulate late Samanja’s virtues of national unity, religious and cultural promotions towards fostering peace and tranquility in Northern Nigeria and beyond.

The governor prayed to Almighty Allah to grant the family and friends of Samanja the fortitude to bear the loss.