Nasir El-Rufai, governor of Kaduna, has described the death of Barnabas Bantex, former deputy governor, as a very painful loss to the state.
Bantex, an architect, died on Sunday aged 65.
Family sources said he died at a hospital in Abuja following a protracted illness.
He was the deputy governor of Kaduna state between 2015-2019.
Advertisement
Reacting to his death, El-Rufai, in a statement described the late Bantex as a dependable man of brilliance and imagination.
He said the late deputy governor brought his unique insights as a politician with experience in navigating the diversity of the state while in office.
“Bantex radiated hope and optimism in the future of our state, even when the circumstances were dreary,” the statement reads.
Advertisement
“From our days as undergraduates in the 1970s to our practice as professional colleagues in the construction industry and eventually partners in a governance project, Bantex was consistently a dependable man of brilliance and imagination.
“He believed in the potential of our state and in the capacity of our people to work together for progressive attainments.
“Together, we took on the task of providing new leadership for Kaduna State in 2015. He brought to his duties as Deputy Governor during our first term his unique insights as a politician with experience in navigating the diversity of our state. Bantex radiated hope and optimism in the future of our state, even when the circumstances were dreary.”
El-Rufai said the state will miss his brilliance and his commitment to Kaduna State, his easygoing manners, his sense of humour and steadfastness to his conviction.
Advertisement
“We have been blessed to know Bantex and to work with him. We pray God to grant him peaceful repose and to comfort his wife, children and the entire family in this moment of grief and loss,” he added.
Add a comment
