The remains of the late former deputy governor of Kaduna State, Barnabas Yusuf Bala Bantex, have been laid to rest at his country home, Randiyam in Kaura Local Government Area of the state, amidst glowing tributes.
The burial service, which took place at the Manchok Township Square, witnessed a large turnout from well-wishers, family and friends, including the Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, his deputy, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, as well as the deputy governors of Plateau and Nassarawa states, among others.
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In a sermon, the general secretary of the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), The Rev Yunusa Mmadu, admonished the people to take a cue from the good legacies he left behind.
Speaking on the topic, “One minute after you die,” which he took from Luke chapter 16 verse 19 to 31, Mmadu noted that bereavement was a time to reflect on our lives and make amends.
In a goodwill message, Governor El-Rufai described the late Bantex as a dependable, honest and loyal friend, who always believed in the potential of the state and its people. He prayed to God to rest his soul.
Earlier, the wife of the deceased, Mrs Ladi Bala, said her husband died a peaceful and happy man, in spite of the pains he went through in sickness.
Also speaking, his eldest son, Mr Banta Bala, thanked all who came to pay their last respect to their late father, and appealed to the people to always speak good of the living, instead of only realising how good a person was after he or she must have died.
There were tributes from the church, family members, friends, traditional and the political class, among others.
Bantex, who was Governor El-Rufai’s deputy from 2015 to 2018, resigned on the eve of the 2019 general elections to contest the Kaduna South Senatorial seat on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) but lost to the incumbent Senator Danjuma Tella Laah of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He also served as the chairman of Kaura Local Government and member representing Kaura in the House of Representatives.
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