Mr Barnabas Bala-Bantex, immediate-past Deputy Governor of Kaduna State during the first tenure of Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has died at the age of 64, a family source confirmed.
Mr Banta Bala, eldest son of the deceased, said in a telephone interview that the former deputy governor passed away in Abuja on Sunday, after a protracted ailment
Born in December 1956 in Kagoro, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Bala-Bantex attended Tagwai Sambo Model Primary School, Manchok, and Federal Government College, Warri, for his primary and secondary education.
He obtained a Bachelors Degree in Architectuure from the University of Lagos, and a Masters Degree in Architecture with distinction from Ahmadu Bello University in 1981.
He lectured at the University of Jos, before venturing into private practice by establishing Bantex Consortium, a construction firm.
Bala-Bantex represented Kaura Local Government Area at the National Constituents Assembly, and later became a two-term Chairman of the Local Government Council.
He served in the House of Representatives on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), representing Kaura Federal Constituency.
He became the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014, and in May 29, 2015, sworn-in as the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State.
He bowed out after four years to contest the Kaduna South Senatorial District during the 2019 General Elections, on the platform of the APC, but lost to the incumbent Senator, Dr Danjuma La’ah of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has joined the government and people of Kaduna State to mourn Bantex.
El-Rufai also mourned him.
Buhari, in a condolence message by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, on Sunday in Abuja, described the deceased as a “true gentleman and consummate professional”.
According to him, Bantex will be fondly remembered for his many years of distinguished service in his home State, his patriotism to the nation as well as forthrightness in politics.
The president also affirmed that the former Deputy Governor, who served as chairman of Kaura Local Government and represented Kaura in the House of Representatives, was a potent voice on peace, stability and progress.
The president extended his deepest condolences to the family, friends, associates and many followers, who benefited immensely from the responsible stewardship the deceased offered as a public servant and political office holder.
He prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and comfort those mourning the irreparable loss.
Party members, friends and relatives in Kaduna on Sunday also paid tribute.
Mr Ibrahim Koli, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Southern Kaduna said that the death of Bantex was a huge loss to the zone.
Koli described the former deputy governor as a bridge builder who always worked to unite Christians and Muslims in Southern Kaduna.
“We are all in shock over his death. His death is a big loss not only to this zone but the state as a whole.
“He was a good man who never discriminated anyone on the basis of tribe or religion.
“Many people are against him because he always speaks the truth, but now that he is no more, they will know his value,” he said
On his part, Mr Donatus Adamu, a close friend of the family, said that the deceased would be remembered for his laudable contributions to the development of the state.
According to Adamu, Bantex was a brilliant man who stayed true to his convictions on issues regardless of whose ox is gored.
“The ingenuity in him is something you cannot quantify. He was a bank of ideas and also stayed true to whatever he believed in. We will greatly miss his brilliance,” he stated
Also, Mr Joseph Bala, Bantex’s nephew, said that the deceased wanted the best for everyone around him.
“I will miss my uncle so much. He was a man who always wanted the best for everyone around him.
“He kept pushing people around him to realise their full potentials and be the best version of themselves,” he said.
Kaduna State APC Chairman, Mr Emmanuel Jakada, expressed shock over the death.
Jakada described the demise of the former deputy governor as a great loss to the party and people of the state.
He said the death of Bala-Bantex was a great loss to the people of Southern Kaduna in particular.
“Bantex was a great and patient man. He was our party Chairman and we shall ever remain grateful to him for his performance as a leader, father and fellow political associate,” Jakada said.
The APC chairman prayed God to grant the family, the state and Kaura Local Government the fortitude to bear the loss.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State Government has officially announced the death of Bantex and declared Monday as work-free day.
Mr Muyiwa Adekeye, Special Adviser to el-Rufai on Media and Communication in a statement on Sunday in Kaduna, said that the work-free day was in honour of his memory and service to the state.
Adekeye said that El-Rufai had sent a personal message of condolence to the family, noting that it was a blessing to know Bantex and to work with him.
He said that the governor acknowledged the deceased’s commitment to the progress of the state and prayed God to grant him peaceful repose and to comfort his family.
