Dignitaries from within and outside Niger State on Wednesday gathered at the Airforce protestant church, 013 response base, Minna, the Niger State to their last respect to late Navy Commander Joseph Haruna Duza, member representing Munya Constituency in the state house of assembly.
The late retired Airforce officer who was the Chairman standing committee on security and intelligent in the state assembly died on Thursday at a private hospital in Minna after a brief illness at the age of 61.
As early as 8:00am dignitaries had gathered at the Nigerian Airforce base situated Maikunkele, a suburb of Minna for the funeral service which eventually began at 11:am.
The Niger State Deputy Governor Comrade Yakubu Garba led members of the state executive council which includes commissioners, special advisers, directors general, senior special assistants political parties executives and other top political appointees.
The state assembly was led by the speaker, RT Hon Abdulmalik Sarkindaji with all the members in attendance at the funeral service.
Former assembly members were not left out as they all came to pay their last respect to the late member whom the speaker described as a true Nigerian who was passionate about the well-being of his Constituency and the state in general.
“We will missed late honorable Joseph Haruna Duza who offered himself to the service of the people of his Constituency and the state in general.
“He will be remembered for his robust and unbiased contributions to state matter on the floor of the house during plenary. We will forever missed him”, the speaker said.
The deputy governor who led the state government delegation, extolled the virtue of the late member, saying that despite his political differences as a People Democratic party (PDP) member in the house, he remained committed and supportive to the renewed hope agenda of the present administration in the state.
He pointed out that the late member has demonstrated that he was a true representative of the people with his commitment towards the peace and security of his Constituency that has been bedevilled with bandits activities.
“I want to say that the late lawmaker will be missed not only by his immediate family and his Constituency but the entire state. His short stay in the house was remarkable in the lives of his Constituency.
“He used his military background and experience to offer help in the area of insecurity to his people and the state in general. His immense contributions to the peace and development of his Constituency will surely be missed”, he added.
In his sermon at funeral service, the officiating priest Rev. Joseph C. Yakubu reminded politicians that sacrifice for humanity Should be their watch-ward we will all die empty no matter the accumulation of wealth.
“No matter how long you lived, the end will surely come because there is time to be born and the time to die. The question is that how do we live our life here on earth because there is purpose for every human existence”.
He appealed to politicians that they can only be remembered for the positive legacy they left behind and therefore impart positively on the lives of the people, adding that “only your legacy on earth that will speak for you when you gone”.
The body of the late commander Joseph Haruna was later taken to his hometown, Chibani in Munya local government where was laid to rest according to military tradition amidst tight security.

**Urge Sustained Onslaught Against Insurgents

The people of Bassa community in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State have commended the special hunters and the Nigerian Airforce for their recent exploits in combating bandits and insurgents terrorizing the region.

The community expressed their relief and gratitude for the elimination of over 28 members of the Boko Haram sect following a fierce gun battle.
In a statement issued in Minna, signed by the leader of the Bassa Youth Movement, Isiyaku Director, the community praised the Nigerian Airforce and recognized Senator Mohammed Sani Musa for his tireless efforts in ensuring peace and security in his constituency, including Bassa. The statement, titled “Immense Appreciation for Distinguished Senator Sani 313 and the Nigerian Airforce,” described the recent operation as a great relief to Bassa and surrounding villages.

The community recalled that, in August alone, the gunmen killed over 38 members of Bassa, with one of the latest attacks being the killing of 13 farmers at a mining site in Angwan Maigiro. They acknowledged Senator Sani Musa as a true representative of his constituency, stating, “Your relentless efforts have yielded remarkable results, and we are thrilled to witness the positive impact of your dedication to the well-being of your people.”

The community further called on the government, security agents, and other stakeholders to continue the offensive against “these enemies of the people.”

Following the recent deployment of the Joint Security Taskforce, which includes special hunters, local vigilantes, and other security personnel, peace is gradually returning to Bassa and Allawa communities. Before this deployment, suspected Boko Haram insurgents had overrun military bases in the area and had forced residents to evacuate. Reports suggest that the insurgents had even engaged in farming and other commercial activities in the region, including mining.

The community’s statement expressed hope and gratitude for the efforts made to restore peace, adding, “Your selfless service, vision, and unwavering resolve have made a significant difference in the lives of our people.”

Former Military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has sounded the alarm over the worsening economic hardship in Nigeria, as he urged President Tinubu to act swiftly.
The former Head of State gave this honest view at his uphill residence in Minna on Tuesday when he received the leadership of the Campaign for Democracy and Human Rights led by Comrade Abdullahi Mohammed Jabi who paid him a birthday visit.

The human rights leaders during the visit had asked Abubakar to prevail on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to find solution to the hunger in the land.

General Abdulsalami who took a critical look at the living conditions of majority of Nigerians concluded that ” The hardship in the land is getting out of control”
According to General Abdulsalami, “Everybody is crying of this hardship and it seems to be getting out of control, people cannot afford three square meals, the issue of transportation, the hike in fuel, the hike in school fees for the children and the lack of funds in everybody’s pocket is making life difficult for everybody, Nigerians are suffering”.
He nonetheless declared that “We will continue to encourage the government to introduce measures to soften the hardship” adding that ” the federal states and local governments should see how they can cushion this economic hardship”.
The former military Head of State however disclosed that he belongs to a forum that had made recommendations to the federal government on the way out for the economic hardship in the land.
“I will like to intimate you that in some of the proposals we have given to government on another platform, we indicated that giving Palliatives is not the answer to the high prices of food and other items in the country.
“There is need for government to flood and saturate the communities with food, let them (Government) buy food and sell it at lesser prices to the people so that people will try to buy some of these food items depending on their pockets/ income.
“We have passed these recommendations to the government, we hope they will implement them”, he added.
On the planned #Endbadgovernance protest slated for 1st of October, the Elder statesman appealed to Nigerians to shelve the idea, but nevertheless caution those behind it to be peaceful.
He pointed out that “For God sake when you demonstrate, do it peacefully”.
He recalled that in the last demonstration “We saw unnecessary, uncalled for carnage, theft and criminalities” adding that: ” people instead of demonstrating went about looting even private houses, private individuals suffered in the hands of the demonstrators.
He therefore cautioned them, saying “If at all we are going to demonstrate, let us know this is why we are demonstrating let us not inflict hardship on other fellow Nigerians”.
However General Abdulsalami has a message for the government, urging it (Government) to listen to the demonstrators stressing that “You cannot beat a child and prevent it from crying”.
Earlier the leader of the delegation Comrade Abdullahi Jabiindicated that they were in his residence to rejoice with him on the celebration of his birthday and prayed for long life and good health for him.
Jabi solicited the support of the former Nigerian leader for the implementation of some of its programmes especially in the area of mobilization of Nigerians for active participation in governance.
He drew the attention of their host to the prevailing hunger in the land and urged him to help prevail on the federal government to solve the problem.