Saraki, Kwara Gov, APC Others Mourn Etsu Patigi

 

A first class traditional ruler in Kwara State, the Etsu Patigi, Alhaji Umar Chatta Ibrahim, is reported dead.

Media investigations revealed that the monarch was said to have died last Tuesday in Abuja after a brief illness.

It was gathered that the foremost royal father passed on few minutes to 2 o clock at a private hospital where he was being given medical attention.

The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, in his condolence message in Ilorin on Wednesday, expressed sadness over the death of a foremost traditional ruler in the state, the Etsu Patigi.

Saraki, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Yusuph Olaniyonu, described the late royal father as a man of peace whose reign witnessed monumental development in his domain in particular and the state in general.

He said: “Alhaji Umar Chatta Ibrahim was an older friend and an ardent supporter. I will personally miss his advice and fatherly disposition. He was always an apostle of peace and good relationship between the various people and areas in our dear state. He shall be dearly missed.

“The last time I saw him was during the political campaigns, he was lively and articulate about the hopes and aspirations of the people of Patigi in particular and the Kwara North senatorial district in general. As usual, one saw a traditional ruler who tirelessly canvassed the interest of his people. One never realised it was the last meeting we had that day.”

The President of the Senate commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, Patigi community, the Etsu in Council, Kwara State Traditional Council and the people and government of the state over the ‘irreparable’ loss.

He prayed Allah to grant the soul of the departed royal father a place among the righteous ones in Aljannah Firdaus and his loved ones the fortitude to bear the

Meanwhile, the state Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, has condoled with the people of Patigi Emirate over the death of Etsu Patigi.

The governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, described the demise of the monarch as a great loss and departure of one of the builders of modern Kwara State.

Ahmed said the demise of the Etsu draws the curtain on one of the most peaceful, finest and most respected traditional rulers in the state.

According to him, "The death of His Royal Highness, Etsu Patigi, saddens our heart. He was first among equals. His reign validated him as a powerful but compassionate monarch, who was in tune with the needs and aspirations of his people.”

Also, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmad, has expressed his deep shock over the demise of the Etsu Patigi, describing it as a huge loss to the state.

In a condolence message issued in Ilorin yesterday, he further described the late traditional ruler as a detribalised Nigerian who used his position to unite the state in spite of several ethnicities in the state.

Ahmad, however, commiserated with the people of Patigi on behalf of the assembly the legislators as well as the staff of the assembly.

The Emir of Ilorin and Chairman of the  state traditional council, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, also  expressed deep shock over the death of the Etsu Patigi.

The emir in his condolence message signed by the National Secretary of Shehu Alimi Foundation for Peace and Development, Mallam Abdulazeez Arowona, in Ilorin yesterday described the demise of the highly respected monarch as a colossal loss to humanity.