By Suleiman Dalhatu

Nasarawa State Government has joined millions of other sympathizers in condoling the Kaduna State Governor, Alhaji Mohammed Namadi Sambo, over the passage of one of the longest serving monarch in the country, the Oegwam Oegworok (Chief of Kagoro), Dr. Gwamna Awan.

A condolence letter presented to Governor Sambo by the deputy governor of Nasarawa State, Chief John Mike Abdul, said Nasarawa State shared in the grief and sorrows of the people of Kaduna State over the demise of the legendary monarch.

He presented the letter of condolence at the funeral service which was held at an open air venue close to the chief’s palace in Kagoro.

At the funeral service, Governor Namadi Sambo has said that "to immortalize the late monarch is to emulate him", adding that for that reason, "we will continue to immortalize him as epitome of peace and harmonious co-existence".

Governor Sambo described the late Dr. Gwamna Awan as a just and loving ruler of his people who had outlived colonial rule, served under many military heads of state and all the civilian administrations so far. He said the deceased would be greatly missed not only by the people of Kaduna State but the nation at large.

Emir of Zazzau and chairman of Kaduna State council of chiefs, Alhaji (Dr.) Shehu Idris, described the late monarch as a highly principled and great gentleman with a great wealth of experience. He recalled the efforts of late Dr. Awan in promoting cultural values and royalhood in his days. Alhaji Idris said his loss was irreplaceable, adding that the traditional council in the state was already missing the wise counsel and fatherly advice of Dr. Awan.

In his sermon at the well-attended funeral service, the guest preacher, Reverend (Dr.) Musa Asake, in his message titled: "Integrity: the mark of a good leader", admonished public office holders and others in leadership positions to remember that death was walking around the corner, urging them to regard their offices as call to service and not to abuse same. Reverend Asake, who is a former general-secretary of ECWA, described death as an inevitable end, saying that "whether one is prepared for it or not, death must surely come, at God’s appointed time".

The Federal Government was represented at the occasion by the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Felis Hassan Hyet, who conveyed the message of the President to the government and people of Kaduna State, saying the late monarch left when his services were greatly needed.

Other dignitaries at the occasion were the deputy governor of Kaduna State, Mr. Patrick I. Yakowa, Senator Isaiah Balat, Chief Solomon Lar, former minister of state for works, Mr. Garba Ali Madaki and a cross section of members of the National Assembly and members of the state House of Assembly and traditional rulers from the state and beyond.

The late Dr. Gwamna Awan was installed as Chief of Kagoro on 11th April, 1945 and has been on the throne for the past 63 years, making him one of the longest serving monarchs in the country and the longest in Northern Nigeria.