SAN FRANCISCO, August 17, (THEWILL) – President Muhammadu Buhari and the Northern Governors Forum (NGF) have expressed sadness over the death of Former Governor of the defunct Gongola State and former Nigeria High Commissioner to Zimbabwe, Wilberforce Juta.
The president’s condolence message was conveyed via a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Sunday.
President Buhari also commiserated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the demise of “one of her founding fathers, who ably served the country with dedication as High Commissioner to Zimbabwe, at the return to civilian rule in 1999”.
He affirmed that Juta, a teacher, politician, and Christian leader, who actively involved with the Lutheran Church of Christ in Nigeria (LCCN) was very passionate about the development and stability of the country
The President acknowledged that Juta had never taken for granted the need to promote peace, harmony, and religious freedom.
According to Buhari, “as a professional teacher par excellence, Juta tutored and prepared many Nigerians for leadership roles of today and tomorrow, including Mr Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, who was his former student.
“In recognition of his outstanding roles in the education sector, as a school principal, the elder statesman was once honoured as the Best Principal in the North East”, the statement added.
Meanwhile, the Northern Governors Forum through its Chairman, Simon Lalong has also expressed condolences to the family, govetnment and people of Adamawa State over the death of the Former Governor.
Governor Lalong in a message on behalf of the Forum, described the late Wilberforce Juta as a politician, who served his people with loyalty and courage.
Lalong said the deceased contributed immensely to the development of the defunct Gongola State particularly in the areas of education and human capital development as Deputy Governor from 1979 and then Governor in 1983.
He commiserated with his family, friends and political associates as well as the entire people and Governments of Adamawa and Taraba States, Lalong also prayed God to grant his soul rest and to comfort the family.
