Tributes as late CAN general secretary is buried

Danladi Yerima, general secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the federal capital territory (FCT) was laid to rest on Saturday at Kufana village, Kajuru local government area of Kaduna state on Saturday.

Yerima died in Kaduna on March 11 afer a brief illness.

Speaking at the funeral service at ECWA English service, Sabon Tasha, Kaduna, Ejoga Inalegwu, chairman of the Northern Christian Elders Forum (NOSCEF), described Yerima as a bold and courageous fighter for the church and Adara, his ethnic group.

“I work closely with him in CAN and NOSCEF, he was an honest and transparent person, who believes in hard work,” he said.

“He fought against injustice and oppression against the Church and against his Adara people.”

Also in his tribute, Yakubu PAM, chairman of Northern CAN, described the deceased as a loyal and committed servant of God.

Widow of the of the deceased, Hajaratu Yerima, said her late husband was a loving and caring man and a friend to all.

“I am proud of him. We lived with him for 34 years and he taught me to respect, he taught me that in every circumstance, I should give glory to God, he taught me faith. My husband was a friend to the poor, the needy and the rich and a friend to the oppressed. He was very generous and accommodating to all. I want to assure that we will carry on with the legacies he has left behind.”

Jonathan Asake, president of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), said Yerima who served at various times as the secretary of SOKAPU as well as the president of the Adara Development Association (ADA), devoted his life to the “relentless fight against the viruses of injustice and oppression of the southern Kaduna people and the Adara nation.”

Also speaking Sunday Oibe, a former national officer of CAN and bossom friend of the deceased, said Yerima was a “fearless and a dangerous risk taker.”

Oibe said: “Because of his passion for the liberation of Adara land, he mobilised us some years ago to fast and pray for his people. As a social crusader, he fought many battles. Even at death, you can see that battles are being fought on his behalf and the battles are still raging.

“He was a selfless leader. He considered other people’s interest before his own. As a lawyer he had no time for himself than Adara people. I pray that the Adara people will now know that a vacuum has been created. I pray that the Church in Nigeria will celebrate this man beyond this gathering. I pray that Yerima will live on. Danladi fought for the unity of Christians and Muslims.

“He lived and died for the Adara people. May God cause you to love his family and care for them.”