A former deputy governor of Nasarawa State, Solomon Ewuga, was on Saturday laid to rest in his hometown, the Alushi community of the Nassarawa-Eggon Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Ewuga, who died on September 24 after a prolonged illness in an Egyptian hospital where he was receiving treatment for an undisclosed ailment, was 70 years old.

The former deputy governor was buried at about 2:30 p.m. in his family compound after the funeral service.

Mr Ewuga was also a Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under former President Olusegun Obasanjo and a senator who represented Nasarawa North in the seventh National Assembly.

Speaking at the service, Governor Abdullahi Sule described the deceased as a man who dedicated his life to the service of God and humanity.

He noted that the deceased was a global citizen who freely interacted with everyone, irrespective of their religion or tribal affiliations, and who believed in mentoring the younger generation.

Mr Sule promised to continue to support the family the deceased left behind.

Also, Mr Maku, who spoke on behalf of the former deputy governors of the state, described the death as a personal loss and a great loss to the Eggon nation, the state, and the entire country.

He called on leaders to be united and prioritise the interests of the state and the people and desist from politics that bring destruction and division.

“This is the third former deputy governor we are burying, and I pray that this one will teach us something to know the emptiness of life, to unite and develop the state for the sake of our people,” said Mr Maku.

Earlier, Josephine Dokotri-Ewuga, wife of the deceased, expressed the belief that her husband was resting at the bosom of the Lord, given the good life he led on earth.

She appreciated the state government, friends, family members, and her husband’s associates for standing by them during their trying moments and prayed to God to bless them all.

Other dignitaries at the funeral service were Governor Abdullahi Sule, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, Abdullahi Adamu, the first civilian governor of the state, Labaran Maku, former Minister of Information, and Umaru Al-Makura.

Also in attendance were religious and traditional leaders, as well as all former deputy governors of Nasarawa State, the APC national chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, Joshua Dariye, Josephine Piyo, the deputy governor of Plateau, and Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs Zephaniah Jisalo.

Friends and associates of the former minister, as well as present and former state and National Assembly members from Nasarawa and Plateau States, among others, were also present to pay their last respects to the deceased.

(NAN)