National confab chairman, Kutigi, loses wife

Proceedings at the plenary session of the national con­ference were ad­journed abruptly on a sad note yesterday following the news of the death of Maryamu, the wife of the conference Chairman and retired chief justice of the federation, Justice Idris Kutigi.
Maryamu, aged 70, died at the National Hospital in Abu­ja at about 2 am and has al­ready been buried at the Gudu Muslim Cemetery, Abuja, in line with Islamic rites.
Deputy Chairman of the conference and former min­ister of foreign affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, who presid­ed over a brief session of the conference said it was only proper that the conference be adjourned to enable delegates participate in the burial.
Delegates, who readily and unanimously agreed to the proposal for adjournment, ex­pressed shock at the death and the fact that the conference chairman could still preside over proceedings until the last day of sitting while his wife was in the hospital.
The deputy chairman de­scribed Maryamu as a pillar of strength to the chairman and regretted that she passed on at a time the retired chief justice was handling a criti­cal national assignment and needed her closeness and wise counsel.
Akinyemi said it was in demonstration of his deep sense of patriotism and com­mitment to the affairs of the country that Justice Kutigi continued to preside over the conference throughout the pe­riod his wife was lying ill in the hospital.
Vice President Namadi Sambo, three former chief justices of the federation – Mohammed Uwais, Alfa Bel­gore and Dahiru Mudsdapher; former president of Court of Appeal, Justice Mamman Nasir; and former speaker of House of Representatives, Ghali Umar N’abba, were among dignitaries at the cen­tral mosque in Abuja where prayers were said for the re­pose of the soul of Maryamu, yesterday morning.
Others include former governors, Alhaji Moham­med Goni (old Borno); Alhaji Mohammed Adamu Aliero (Kebbi); retired Brigadier General Lawan Gwadabe (Niger); Obong Victor Attah (Akwa Ibom) and Chief Die­priye Alamieyeseigha (Bay­elsa).
Former inspector gen­eral of police, Alhaji Ibrahim Coomasie; former secretary to Government of the Fed­eration, Chief Olu Falae and former security boss, Chief Albert Horsfall also paid their last respects to the departed Maryamu.
Former Ministers, Prof. Ihechukwu Madubuike, Prof. Jubril Aminu and Dr. Bello Haliru Mohammed, as well as the Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, retired Justice Umaru Eri, the Emir of Suleija, Alhaji Au­waal Ibrahim and the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Moham­med Sanusi, were also in at­tendance.