Mustapha Bukar: Buhari, Saraki, APC, Emirs mourn

Senator Mustapha Bukar, representing Katsina North senatorial district, President Muhammadu Buhari’s constituency, is dead.
He was aged 63.
Alhaji Kanta Bukar, the younger brother of the deceased, confirmed the death and said that Bukar died in the early hours of Wednesday at Nizamiye Hospital, Abuja.
He said the deceased was survived by two wives and 12 children, including Dr Ibrahim Bukar of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
He said the deceased would be buried in Daura today.
Bukar described the death of his elder brother as an irreplaceable loss to the family, the state and the nation in general, stressing he was a bridge builder.
Malam Ahmed Abdullahi, the Personal Assistant to the late senator, described him as a hard working lawmaker, who represented his people diligently.
Abdullahi said the district would remember Bukar as one of the few lawmakers who represented the zone with commitment and dedication.
Bukar returned to Nigeria in March after spending one month in the UK on a medical mission.
He was the second senator to die in weeks, after Senator Ali Wakili, 58, who represented Bauchi South in the senate.
According to a biographical sketch published by National Assembly, Bukar finished his primary education in Daura in 1968, and thereafter went to Government Secondary School, Katsina. He graduated in 1973.
He also attended School of Basic Studies in Zaria (1975), from where he gained admission to read Engineering at Ahmadu Bello University. He graduated with a Bachelors in 1978.
After the National Youth Service, he worked as project manager for the Kaduna State Water Board and later as General Manager.
He retired in 2008 as Director of Katsina State Water Board.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the government and people of Katsina State and the National Assembly on the passing away of Bukar.
In a condolence message issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Wednesday, Buhari described Bukar’s death as a “great loss to Nigeria’s democracy and the engineering profession.’’
Buhari also condoled with the family members, friends and professional colleagues of the legislator, who distinguished himself as an engineer before vying for political office to serve his people.
According to him, as a young engineer, the deceased used his ingenuity to proffer a lasting solution to the perennial water crisis in Katsina.
Bukar had worked variously as a General Manager of the Water Board, Director of National Water Rehabilitation Project and Director, Water Supply at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.
Buhari said: “Sen. Bukar was so dedicated to his responsibilities and hardworking that he got an appointment with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, where he also demonstrated the same dedication and passion for service.
“I am always touched by the death of dedicated and creative public servants like Sen. Bukar.
“We should emulate such rare and hardworking Nigerians for the progress of our country.’’
The President prayed that Allah would bless and forgive the soul of the deceased.
Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, expressed deep sorrow over the death.
Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, described the death of Bukar as one too many coming a few weeks after the Red Chamber lost Senator Ali Wakili.
“I am saddened to learn about the passing of another friend and colleague, Sen. Mustapha Bukar.
 
“When I and some of my colleagues visited Sen. Bukar in the hospital after Jummat prayers last Friday, we prayed with him and we were filled with hope that he would soon recuperate and resume his normal life and legislative activities.
“As a first-time lawmaker, Sen. Bukar stood out for the quality of his contributions on the floor, his pragmatism and his work to strengthen the institution of the legislature.
 
“We shall surely miss his vibrancy and progressive mindset.
 
“But now that he is no more, we cannot query Almighty Allah over the incident because He gives and takes as it pleases Him.
 
“The late Bukar was forthright and gentle in all his dealings.
 
“This is indeed another painful moment for the Senate, a sad moment for his immediate family, his constituents in Katsina North Senatorial District and the people and government of Katsina State.
 
“As we mourn his passing, my thoughts and prayers are with his family, President Muhammadu Buhari and the government and people of Katsina State.
 
“I pray that the Almighty Allah, in his infinite grace, grant the dear and departed senator a place among the righteous ones in Aljannah firdaus,” Saraki said.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) also mourned the demise of the senator.
A statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, reads: “The All Progressives Congress (APC) mourns the death of our party’s Senator representing Katsina North, Senator Mustapha Bukar.
“Although, a first-time federal lawmaker, the late Senator Bukar made his mark in the Senate through his progressive and pro-people legislative interventions, particularly through his Chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Capital Market.
At party level, we have indeed lost a dependable and loyal Party man who contributed immensely to the growth and strength of our great Party.
“We extend deep condolences to his family, constituents, National Assembly, particularly the Senate, President Muhammadu Buhari and the government and people of Katsina State over the sad and painful loss. It is our prayer that the Almighty Allah grants the late Senator Aljannah Firdaus”.
The Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Farouk-Umar, described the death as an irreparable loss to the emirate.
The emir said at his palace in Daura that the deceased had offered “excellent representation to the constituency.”
 
Farouk-Umar said that the emirate council has lost one of its senior councillors who contributed immensely towards the development of Islam and the traditional institutions.
“My brother Mustafa Bukar was a  peace loving person who impacted positively on humanity.
“We shall continue to pray for the deceased to find eternal rest in Aljannah firdaus.
“We extend our condolence to members of the immediate and extended  family, Katsina State Government, National Assembly and the Federal Government.
“Bukar had been a very committed and dedicated lawmaker, who lived above all forms of sentiments; a very religious  and humble person who has high regards for the people he represents.”
The Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir, has sent condolence to the Daura Emirate Council and people of Katsina North Senatorial Zone on the demise of Bukar.
The emir spoke through the Secretary to the emirate council, Alhaji Bello Mamman-Ifo, on Wednesday in Katsina.
Kabir said he received the news of the Senators’ death with great shock.
The emir said the Senator died when his services were greatly needed by the people of the state, stressing that the late Senator left a vacuum difficult to fill.
The emir prayed to Allah to forgive the deceased all his sins and give the family the strength to bear the loss.
The APC Northwest Zonal Office described the demise of the Senator as a great loss to the party.
Alhaji Abdulmanaf Daura, the APC zonal secretary, described Bukar as a loyal party member who believed in adherence to the rules.
He said Bukar’s impact was unprecedented as he has empowered thousands of unemployed youths through training on vocational skills, and secured employment to hundreds of others devoid of party or sectional considerations.
He said the APC as a political party would missed the wise counselling and contributions of the deceased.
“We would continue to  pray for the repose of his soul; we as APC family are extending our condolence to his family, Daura emirate, Senate and the Katsina state government.”
Also, Daura Local Government Council said the death of the Senator was a colossal loss to the area.
Alhaji Salisu Haro, the council  information officer who spoke on behalf of the acting chairman of the council, Alhaji Lawal Made, said the vacuum created by the sudden demise of Bukar would be very difficult to fill.
He said Bukar has contributed immensely towards the socioeconomic development of the local government and had attracted and facilitated numerous federal projects to the area.
Malam  Sani Zimbo a close associate of the late senator and a farmer  described his death as a big blow .
He said the senator has recently drilled about 270 tube wells and 16 boreholes to promote irrigation farming and potable water supply in some rural communities.
“The vacuum created is very wide as all shade of people would definitely feel the impact.”
Malam Habibu Bala a unionist, said the death of Bukar would continue to linger in their hearts especially considering his support to union activities.
He said the late Bukar was a patriot who treated all shades of opinions with regards and respect, stressing he always cautioned the union leaders to strive to promote peace and unity in the country.