- * Mourns Media Guru, Chief Timawus Mathias
By Barnbas Manyam (In Yola, Adamawa State)
As condolences continue to pour in over the death of Barrister Abdullahi Nyako, a long time close aide and principal secretary of the former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, Adamawa State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has expressed his sympathy to Atiku and to the family of the deceased.
Governor Fintri, in his condolence message, described the late Nyako as “a great son of Adamawa state who served his principal, Atiku Abubakar, and the country well, and who will be remembered for his loyalty, steadfastness and service to his community".
Fintiri however stated that Abdullahi Nyako will be sorely missed as a towering figure in the 2023 election Campaign Council of Atiku Abubakar, going into elections in 2023, adding that he left at a time his services are needed most.
"The entire Adamawa Community and I share with Your Excellency, the bereaved family and the government and people of Adamawa, the feelings of the great loss at this moment of deep sorrow.
"I also pray to God Almighty to grand the soul of the departed Abdullahi Nyako Aljanna Firdausi.
In a related development, governor Fintri, amidst pomp and ceremony, mourns Chief Timawus Mathias, a media guru who was interred after a service of songs at the LCCN Church in Numan Adamawa State. He said the memory of Mathias will forever be cherished
In his condolence message to the first class king of Bachama land, the Adamawa state Governor who was represented at the burial ceremony by the deputy Governor, Chief Crowther Seth, Chief of Staff, Maxwell Gidado and other prominent Government functionaries, said the Government will forever cherish the memory of Chief Mathias.
Governor Fintiri's message to the family, relatives and friends of the late Chief Timawus Mathias who died on Friday after an illness at the age of 74 years, was read before a thunderous gatherings that thronged the LCCN Church in Numan town.
The mourners who were present at the burial site include foreign dignitaries, some media personalities like High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, top musicians and politicians. He described the demise of Chief Timawus Mathias as shocking and eulogized the late veteran Journalist as a patriotic Nigerian who served the country diligently in various capacities.
“We will forever cherish Chief Mathias' oratory and comportment on Television as well as his commitment to the service of our beloved State and Country. His diligence and skills earned him the recognition of the NTA Yola station named after him. He held the traditional title of the official spokesman of the paramount monarch of the Bachama Kingdom and the most preferred compere at national events,” the Governor said.
Governor Fintiri who also commiserated with the Wife of the late media manager, said that the deceased devoted his lifetime to the service of God and humanity. "I received with shock, the news of the passing of your husband which sad event took place on Friday.
"Words are insufficient to condole with you on the death of a loved one, but I do urge you to take solace in the life he lived. I have no doubt that Chief Mathias' impact and reach will continue to be felt through lives of those that have passed through his tutelage and the society at large".
While praying for the family, Governor Fintiri urged the wife and children of Chief Mathias to take solace in the fact that he has gone to a better place and draw strength from the fruitful years they shared together.
"On behalf of the Government and good people of Adamawa State, I want to express our heartfelt condolences and beseech God to grant the family, the entire Bachama Kingdom and relatives left behind the fortitude to bear this great irreparable loss," he said.
He described the late Mathias as a great role model who left behind a rich legacy that should be emulated. “We thank God for giving him to us as a gift. We appreciate his service to the community, especially the role he played while working with the Nigerian Television Authority, and his outstanding presentation of what has become the famous Verdict 83 elections coverage,”
Many dignitaries spoke at the occasion including Hon Barrister AD Tukur, who consoled the entire Bachama kingdom for the loss of their illustrious son, Awwal Tukur. He also urged up coming youths to emulate Chief Timawus Mathias. High Chief Raymond Dokpesi thanked the people for pouring encomiums on the legendary broadcaster.
Also speaking, a close friend of the ace broadcaster, Chief Medan Fwah Mni, a retired permanent secretary in Adamawa State, said he grew up together with Timawus Mathias and described him as a jolly good fellow who had been mixing freely with the high and mighty across the country.
Prof John Ngamsa, a senior lecturer with Modibbo Adama University also described Mathias as an irrepressible personality who was an all rounder in human relations. He said his shoes would be hard to fill. NNL.
