Borno Deputy Governor Passes on at 49

Borno State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha passed on in his sleep on Saturday morning, aged 49 years.

The deputy governor, according to a statement by the Secretary to Borno State Government, Alhaji Usman Jidda Shuwa died in his sleep in Yola, Adamawa state where he had gone to represent the state governor, Alhaji Kashim Shettima at the convocation ceremony of Modibbo Adama University of Science and Technology, Yola.

A statement announcing his death signed by the Borno SSG, read: "It is with deep sense of utter shock and disbelief but with complete submission to the will of the Almighty Allah that the Borno State Government hereby announces the passing away of His Excellency, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha, the Deputy Governor of Borno State.

"He died in his sleep this morning (Saturday) in Yola, Adamawa State where he was to represent Borno State Government at the convocation ceremony of Modibbo Adama University of Science and Technology, Yola.

"He was also scheduled to follow up on his earlier visit to Yola, in connection with the welfare of Borno State citizens internally displaced as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency."

The statement also stated that: "His remains would be brought to Maiduguri for funeral at the Government House, Maiduguri  at 4pm today, Saturday, 15th August, 2015. He will be buried in Maiduguri."

"His Excellency, Hon. Kashim Shettima, the Executive Governor of Borno State, expresses his heartfelt condolence to the family of the Deputy Governor and the entire people of Borno State for the irreparable loss and appealed for prayers for the repose of the soul of our late Deputy Governor." The statement further said.

Mustapha would be remembered for his passion for the welfare of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and for his forthrightness and saying things the way they are without colouration.

He is seen in many cycles in the state as one of the major brains and brawls behind the success of the Kashim Shettima administration where he has been made to chair many important committees, among which is the Amirul- Hajj for the past three years, the committee in charge of the Lagacy Estate, the committee on internally displaced persons, IDPs among others.