Kaduna mourns as Yakowa's Remains Arrive State for Burial

 

The rite of passage for former Kaduna State Governor, Mr. Patrick Yakowa, who died in a naval helicopter crash in Bayelsa State on Saturday, began yesterday as his body arrived in Kaduna, from Yenagoa, preparatory to the burial tomorrow.

Before Yakowa's remains, which were contained in a golden casket draped with the national flag, departed for Kaduna, the Bayelsa State Government held a valedictory executive session in honour of the late governor during which many dignitaries, including the governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, paid tributes to him.

Also in attendance at the valedictory session was the Special Adviser to the President on Research and Documentation, Mr. Oronto Douglas, whose father's funeral Yakowa and the former National Security Adviser (NSA), General Andrew Owoye Azazi (rtd), who also died in the helicopter crash along with four others, were leaving when the accident occurred.

The Azazi family has also tentatively fixed December 29 for the funeral of the former NSA.

Hours before the arrival of Yakowa's body, the Kaduna Airport and its vicinity were besieged by a throng of people who crowded the place to catch a glimpse of the body.

The arrival of the Nigerian Air Force cargo plane that brought the body and that of Yakowa's aide, Dauda Tsoho, who also died in the helicopter crash, at about 2.45 pm, caused a stir.

The bodies of the duo were accompanied by Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Gboribiogha John Jonah, and some top government officials as well as a former governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha,

The sight of the casket bearing Yakowa's remains triggered a wave of sobbing and weeping among the crowd, which included the late governor's successor, Alhaji Ramalan Yero, as well as other top government officials and political leaders.

Also at the airport to receive the body of the former governor was his widow, Amina, and three of their children, who were all dressed in black.

As the caskets were being brought down from the plane, the huge crowd defied all the security barricades and rushed straight to the tarmac as they struggled to catch a glimpse of the casket containing Yakowa's body.

Members of some women fellowship groups and church societies that were praying and singing hymns at the airport before the arrival of the bodies, burst into uncontrollable tears as the caskets were lifted down.