By; SAMSON YAKI, Lafia
Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe-Abdullahi, has described the late Emir of Lafia, Alhaji Isah Mustapha Agwai 1, as a rare gem, saying that his death is a monumental loss.
In a statement issued by his Press Secretary, Jibrin Gwamna, the speaker said that the demise of the monarch, who was also chairman of the state traditional council, was a big blow and colossal loss to the entire state and Nigeria at large.
“We and the entire state have lost a great peace promoter, a rear gem and a great father who ensures peaceful co-existence among the different ethnic groups in the state and Nigeria at large“, he said.
Balarabe-Abdullahi said that the late Emir of Lafia had worked tirelessly for the emancipation of the people of Nasarawa State, adding that his demise would be felt by the people of the state.
” Our late Emir was a peace maker, promoter, a bridge builder and he had also contributed a lot to the development of not only Nasarawa State but the country at large.
“The news of his death is heartbreaking, painful, but God gives life and takes at will,” he said.
He urged the family, Lafia traditional council and the state at large not to be depressed but to be courageous and have faith in God.
The speaker prayed God to grant the entire family and the Lafia Traditional Council the fortitude to bear the loss.
The late Emir, who died at the age of 83, was born on February 15, 1935 at Kofar Kaura in Lafia town.
He was selected by the Lafia emirate’s kingmakers on May 15, 1974 and was presented the staff of office by the then governor of Benue/Plateau state, Joseph D. Gomwalk, on October 26, 1974 at the Lafia stadium, now known as the Parade Ground.
He was the 16th Emir of Lafia, and celebrated his 44th coronation anniversary last year.
Until his demise Dr. Isa Mustapha Agwai I was the chairman of the Nasarawa State Council of Emirs and Chiefs, having spent 44 years on the throne. He was also the state chairman of Jama’tul Nasril Islam (JNI) and Chairman of Nasarawa State Inter Religious Council.
Also, he was the National Vice Chairman of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, (NSCIA) and the national Vice Chairman of Jama’atu Nastril Islam (JNI).
The late monarch also held several positions including Chairman, Governing Council of Akwanga Teachers College; Chancellor, A.T.B.U Bauchi; Chancellor, Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) and until his demise, the Chancellor, Federal University, Otuoke in Bayelsa state.
