Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, on Friday said that he wished that he would die like his late brother, Dr. Tsenba Wummen Bako, who he said had the opportunity for an encounter with Jesus Christ.
The governor said his late brother knew he was going to die.
Lalong’s late brother was a lecturer in the Department of Management and Accounting at the University of Jos.
Lalong spoke in his home town, Nyak Ajikamai, in Shendam Local Government Area, during a valedictory church service conducted by the Catholic Archbishop of Jos Diocese, Most. Revd. Fr. Ignatius Kaigama, and other bishops.
He described the deceased as God-fearing, adding that Bako had finished his job on earth and was resting in the bosom of the Lord.
The governor said, “It has not been easy for us since his death because of the number of people who have been coming to greet us and pay condolence visits. We were all born in this village. Our father died and left nothing for us. It has been the grace of God for the past 30 years. Our sisters were the people who took care of us.
“The grace of God has been sufficient. I wish I would die like him. My brother knew he was going to die and as we put in our efforts, (but) he repeatedly said, ‘Don’t worry; I know I am going to die’. We are happy he died in the Lord, he had the opportunity. He has finished his job on earth and he is now resting in the bosom of the Lord.”
Another member of the family, whose name could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report, said the deceased “neither drank nor smoked; his accomplishments are great. At 46, he accomplished what people who died at over 90 years couldn’t accomplish.”
The valedictory church service was attended by many dignitaries, including governors of Sokoto State (Aminu Waziri Tambuwal); Kano State (Abdullahi Ganduje); and representative of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.
In his sermon, Kaigama said, “We cannot question or argue with God. We cannot quarrel or insult Him. It is our unshakable conviction that he who believes in God never dies. Death brings agony, sorrow and tears. The late Wummen Bako would have been a pride to Nigeria. We are all guilty; all we can do is to plead for pardon. But the good news is that God is merciful and full of compassion. Death is liberation from life. Death is inevitable and we all hope to see God one by one.”
The cleric condemned the killing in Las Vegas, United States, describing it as “a senseless cheapening of human life.
