The Etsu Nupe and chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, has described the death of late Shaba Nupe, Alhaji Abdulmalik Ndayako, as a very painful and a colossal loss.
Abubakar said the deceased, who was his uncle, advisor and confidant, epitomised humility, piety and uprightness.
“Kin Nupe, Niger state and, indeed, the country, as a whole, will miss his wise counsel and wealth of experience as an erudite administrator. The late Shaba Nupe was Godly and showed love to his people, irrespective of tribal or religious inclinations,” he said.
The royal father said it was significant that throughout his life, the late Shaba Nupe had retained the humble and an unassuming mien of a technocrat, saying “as a leader, he earned the respect of all in the Nupe kingdom.
“He was a bridge builder, an amiable personality, who was at home with his people and his demise has created a vacuum too difficult to fill. He was a great leader and his network of friends extended beyond the shores of Nigeria.
“He was indeed unique in his leadership style and was deep in his faith in Almighty Allah. May his exemplary leadership in promoting peace, unity and progress of Nigeria be remembered as his legacy towards making Nigeria a better place to live,” the Etsu Nupe averred.
He prayed God to grant his soul eternal peace, and to grant all in kin Nupe, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Also speaking after the two raka’at Janaiza prayers, the emirs of Agaie and Lapai, Alhaji Yusuf Nuhu and Alhaji Umar Baago Tafida 111, said it was disheartening to lose such a great mind that devoted all his life in ensuring peaceful coexistence of all and sundry in kin Nupe.
