Balat: Jonathan, Atiku, PDP Express Shock, Condoles Family
BEVERLY HILLS, February 18, (THEWILL) - President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have expressed great shock and sorrow over the death of Senator Isaiah Balat, a former Minister of Works and until his death a Special Adviser (Special Duties) to the Vice President, Mr.
Namadi Sambo 'President Goodluck Jonathan received with great shock and sorrow this afternoon, news of the sudden death of Senator Isaiah Balat, the Special Adviser (Special Duties) to Vice President Namadi Sambo.
'On behalf of himself and the Federal Government, President extends sincere condolences to the Vice President, his staff and all others who had the pleasure of working with Senator Balat at the Presidential Villa.
'The President also condoles Senator Balat's wife, children and relatives as well as his kinsmen, people of Kaduna State and supporters whose interests he capably represented and defended throughout his political career.
'He joins them in mourning the very affable political leader who will be remembered for serving meritoriously as a Senator and Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
'The President prays that God Almighty will receive the soul of Senator Balat whom he had the pleasure of working with at close quarters in the Presidential Villa over the past three years and grant him eternal rest,' the full text of the statement signed by Reuben Abati, the President's Special Adviser on Media and Publicity said.
Tolerance, Hallmark of Balat's life, Says Atiku Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in a statement released by his media office said the death of Balat has depleted the country of a vanishing breed of bridge-builders diligently committed to holding together the fabrics of Nigeria.
Atiku said that the demise of Balat has robbed the country of a much-needed broadminded politician with a knack for bringing people together, especially in Kaduna state where his influence provided a lot of stability.
"Isaiah Balat was in the same cabinet with me as Vice President.
He was a Minister of State in the works ministry.
His greatest strength was his broadmindedness and tolerance that abhorred divisions along religious or ethnic lines.
He identified with you irrespective of whether you were a Muslim or a Christian or of the majority or ethnic stock," Atiku recalled.
He said that in all his callings, Balat was a patriot, committed to the service of his country and humanity.
Atiku on behalf of his family expressed his condolences to the family of Senator Isaiah Balat, Vice President Namadi Sambo and the people and government of Kaduna State over the loss.
PDP Mourns Too The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed deep sadness over the death of the politician.
PDP National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, in a statement on Tuesday described his death as a huge loss to the country adding that Senator Balat left the scene at a time the nation needed his contributions the most.
'Senator Balat lived as a patriotic Nigerian and a brilliant technocrat who discharged his responsibilities with candor.
Nigerians will remember him for his dedication to duty, humility, loyalty and commitment to the service of our dear fatherland,' the PDP said.
The statement also described him as an outstanding party-man who remained committed to the ideology and manifesto of the PDP and the visions of the founding fathers.
It said Balat played key roles in promoting the course of the PDP and handled all assignments given him by the party meritoriously.
The party commiserated with the Balat family, the Presidency and the Government and people of Kaduna state and prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss.