El-Rufai mourns Kaduna first-class monarch

A first-class Kaduna traditional ruler, Esu Chikun in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Danjuma Barde is dead.

The traditional ruler died at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Kaduna in the early hours of of Wednesday after a protracted illness.

Governor Nasir El-Rufai has, however, described the deceased as a traditional leader who promoted peace and embraced the diversity that development and modernity had brought to his chiefdom.

In a condolence message to the Chikun Traditional Council and the family of Barde, Governor El-Rufai said he was a peacemaker.

The statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Mr Muyiwa Adekeye quoted the governor as saying that “His Highness, Dr Danjuma Barde was a peacemaker who did not flinch from the challenges of modernity but who fully embraced the possibilities of diversity.

“This accommodating and constructive attitude has brought immense socio-economic dividends to the people of Chikun Chiefdom which is host to many of the most significant investment projects the government has attracted to Kaduna State since 2015.”

The statement further noted that “Dr Barde was courageous and outspoken, but always in the interest of peace, unity and progress.”

El-Rufai said Kaduna State is grateful for the positive attitude of the late Barde. He prayed God to grant him peaceful repose, to comfort his family and the entire Chikun Chiefdom.”