The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, has extolled the virtues of the late Sheikh Abubakar Umar Maigona, an Islamic scholar and member of the Gombe State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, who died in Makkah, Saudi Arabia during the 2022 Hajj pilgrimage.
Pantami stated that his late friend, who has turned to become a brother, is a polymath who lived an exemplary life.
The Minister who spoke in his office in Abuja during a condolence visit by the Executive Management of the Nigerian Communications Commission, led by its Chief Executive, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, said they grew up together with fond memories of their backgrounds.
He reflected in a solemn submission about the life and times of the late Islamic scholar, with whom he attended the same Islamic school in their early life, and grew up together.
“The relationship between me and my late friend, Sheikh Abubakar Umar Maigona, was deep and later we became very close brothers and associates. We shared many things growing up”, he said.
He expressed appreciation for the visit of the leadership of the Commission for coming to commiserate with him over the demise of his late friend.
Danbatta had earlier conveyed the condolences of the Board and Management of the Commission, prayed to Almighty Allah to forgive Sheikh Maigona for his shortcomings and reward his good deeds with Aljannat Firdaus.
Danbatta was accompanied by the Secretary, Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), Mr Ayuba Shuaibu; Director, Human Capital and Administration, Bar. Usman Malah; Director, Special Duties, Dr Ikechukwu Adinde; Director, Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, during the visit.
Others are the Chief of Staff to the EVC, Mallam Hafiz Shehu; the Executive Assistant to the EVC, Ismaila Nalado and the Special Assistant to the EVC (Media) Yakubu Musa.