By DAVID IORJA, Abuja –
President Muhammadu Buhari and the Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle on Thursday condole with the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) on the sudden death of its National President, Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel.
President Buhari also commiserated with the family of the deceased who, until his demise, was a Board member of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), representing the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
Comrade Khaleel, who slumped and died in Abuja on Wednesday, was also the national treasurer of the NLC .
In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant (Media & Publicity),Garba Shehu, President Buhari paid tribute to the labour leader who was on the frontline of mobilising the nation’s workforce at the grassroots to greater productivity and efficiency, while also ensuring the protection of workers’ rights and welfare.
The President noted that Khaleel’s unique contributions to labour, governance and democracy issues in the country would be missed immensely, particularly his many years of constant and strong advocacy for local government autonomy.
He prayed almighty God to grant repose to the dead and comfort to his beloved family and all who mourn.
Governor Matawalle had earlier on Thursday confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES the NULGE leader “slumped and died yesterday at his Abuja residence while trying to perform maghrib prayers.”
The Kano State chairperson of the NULGE, Abdullahi Gwarzo, told reporters that the deceased slumped on Wednesday and was rushed to the National Hospital Abuja, where he was confirmed dead.
Mr Gwarzo said the deceased will be buried in Wudil local government of Kano on Thursday, where he hailed from.
Mr Matawalle in a press statement, through his media aide, Yusuf Idris, said the governor commiserates with the NULGE and the Kano State government over the death.
“I was shocked when i received the sad news of the sudden death of Comrade Ibrahim Khaleel because i was with him on Tuesday, at the Government House, Gusau along with the Zamfara NULGE officials in an efforts to improve the welfare of his members in the State,” the governor said.
The governor further said the death of the deceased is a great lesson to leaders at all levels to fear Allah in discharging their responsibilities, as death can occur at any time.
He described the late Ibrahim Khaleel as a freedom fighter and a dogged activist who spent most of his life in the struggle for the welfare of workers and that his contributions will remain indelible in the minds of many labour leaders, especially his simplicity, hard work, honesty and humility to all.
His death, according to the governor, is a monumental loss to the country, labour unions and Kano State government.
(With additional report by Premium Times)
Leave a Reply