The president, Mohammadu Buhari mourns the passing away of Emir of Lafia, Isah Mustapha Agwai I, says he has received the news with “profound sadness.”
The Emir, Mr. Agwai passed away on Thursday at a private hospital in Abuja after a prolonged illness. His death is a number on the list of first class Emirs from Nassarawa state who had passed away in recent times.
However, the minister of state for environment, Ibrahim Usman Jibrin, has been named the new (13th) Emir of Lafia. Mr Jibrin has also resigned his position as a minister of state.
Ibrahim Usman Jibrin, the 13th Emir of Lafia
Meanwhile, Mr. Agwai would be buried today after Friday prayers at the palace of Lafia.
The president Spokesman, , Garba Shehu in a statement on Thursday evening said ‘on behalf of the Federal Government, the President extends heartfelt commiserations to Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, the Lafia Emirate Council, the people of Lafia and Nasarawa State on the passage of the highly respected monarch who ascended the throne of his ancestors in 1974.
“The President assures them of the “fullest sympathy of the Federal Government as they mourn the chairman of the Nasarawa State Council of Emirs and Chiefs and state chairman of Jama’tul Nasril Islam (JNI), who will be fondly remembered for his exemplary leadership and tireless efforts at improving the lives of his people.”
While the president stated that the late Emir was committed to defending inter-religious harmony, tolerance, peace building and conflict prevention as well as promoting the role of education in nation building in the course of his remarkable 44 years on the throne.
According to the statement “As the remains of the late Emir is buried on Friday, the President prays Allah to receive the monarch’s soul and grant him peaceful repose.
“He also prays that Allah will grant the people of Lafia a worthy successor.”
