Photo: The late ex-deputy gov Bantex
Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State and other dignitaries on Saturday paid glowing tributes in their last respects to the late former Deputy Gov. of Kaduna state, Barnabas Bala, (popularly known as Bantex), during his burial in his hometown, Manchok, Kaura Local Government Area of the state.
Periscope International reports that the funeral of Bantex, 64, who died in an Abuja hospital on July 11 following a protracted illness, was organised by the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Manchok. He was El-Rufai’s deputy between 2015 and 2019, when he resigned to contest for senate on the platform of the APC but lost to PDP’s Danjuma La’ah.
Gov El-Rufai who attended the burial that was attended by other dignitaries including top government officials, relatives, friends and associates of the deceased, described the deceased as one of the most honest and decent persons he had ever come across in life.
“Bantex was a brilliant man. But beyond that, he was one of the most honest and decent humans I have ever come across. I will miss my friend.
“We never argued in the four years he was my deputy except once when he told me he was going to resign. And there was no decision we took without getting his opinion as the final opinion,” El-Rufai said, adding that the late Bantex will be remembered for his laudable contributions to the growth and development of Kaduna State.
Plateau State Deputy Gov. Prof. Sonny Tyoden, in his tribute described the deceased former deputy governor as an uncommon politician who stayed true to his convictions.
“He was an uncommon politician who was never fillip ant but stayed true to whatever he believed in. Let’s all strive to live by the principles that guided his life here on earth because he was a true patriot,” Tyoden said.
Also speaking, the widow of the deceased, Ladi Bala, said her late husband was a peaceful and loving man who died with a smile on his face, adding that he was a peace maker and his last words to her were “thank you and thank you.”
“My husband was all smiles as he passed away. Even the doctors said they had never seen anything like that. Our only consolation now is that he has gone to be with the Lord,” she said.
In his remarks, the ECWA President, Rev. Stephen Panya, said that the late Bantex played a critical role in the life and history of the Church in Nigeria, stressing that “Bantex designed and built the present ECWA headquarters in Jos, Plateau State, and the church will always be proud of him”
Rev. Yunusa Nmadu, in his sermon, admonished the people to take a cue from the many good legacies the deceased left behind.