WorldStage Newsonline– Nigerian Senateon Wednesday expressed deep sorrow over the death of the Senator representing Katsina North, Mustapha Bukar, saying it’s one too many coming a few weeks after the Red Chamber lost Sen. Ali Wakili.
President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Mr Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, said, “I am saddened to learn about the passing of another friend and colleague, Sen. Mustapha Bukar.
Senator Bukar, representing Katsina North senatorial district, President Muhammadu Buhari’s constituency died at the age of 63 in the early hours of Wednesday at the Nizamiye Hospital, Abuja.
Saraki said, “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.
Alhaji Kanta Bukar, the younger brother of the deceased who earlier confirmed the death said the deceased was survived by two wives and 12 children, including Dr Ibrahim Bukar of the Nigerian Communications Commission.
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 (APC) returned to Nigeria in March after spending one month in the UK on a medical mission.
Senator Bukar 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.
