The Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) secretariat has been thrown into mourning following the untimely death of two staff members.
The deceased include Mr Danladi Philemon Kure (a personal driver to the Executive Chairman of AMAC, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu) and Lukman Atakpmuze Abdullahi (an AMAC Staff), who died over the weekend.
Blueprint.ng reports that the deceased were both buried on Saturday, though details of their deaths were sketchy as of the time of filing this report.
Nevertheless, Lukman, who hailed from Jiwa, reportedly passed away after a brief illness.
Head of Administration mourns
In a condolence message she signed and made available to Blueprint.ng on Sunday, the Head of Administration of AMAC, Hajara Abdullahi Umar, condoled with Maikalangu, following the sudden and tragic passing of two dedicated staff members.
She described the untimely deaths as a profound loss not only to the office of the executive chairman, but to the entire management and staff of the Area Council.
While offering words of comfort, the Head of Administration urged Maikalangu to stay resilient and remain steadfast during this difficult period.
“It is Almighty God who gives life, and it is He who takes it at His appointed time. I humbly appeal to the Executive Chairman not to view this heartbreaking loss as a setback, but rather to accept it with fortitude as the divine decree and unquestionable will of Allah (SWT),” she stated.
She further offered prayers for the repose of the souls of the departed and for strength for the grieving families and the Council as a whole.
“We pray that Almighty Allah (SWT) in His infinite mercy forgives their shortcomings, accepts their good deeds, and grants them eternal peace.
“May God grant the Executive Chairman, the leadership of AMAC, and the immediate families of the deceased the fortitude and courage to bear these irreparable losses,” she said.
Maikalangu mourns driver
Earlier on Saturday, the executive chairman of AMAC and Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), FCT Chapter, Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, announced the passing of his driver, Mr. Danladi Philemon Kure.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kingsley Madaki, Maikalangu described the incident as a painful and monumental loss, expressing his heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased.
He noted that Mr. Kure was a dedicated, hardworking, and trustworthy individual who performed his duties with utmost diligence and commitment.
“This is a very sad day for us at the Council. Danladi was not just a dedicated staff member, but a loyal companion whose humility and devotion to duty were exemplary. His untimely departure leaves a deep void that will be difficult to fill.
“May Almighty God in His infinite mercy forgive his shortcomings and grant his soul eternal rest in His heavenly kingdom.
“May the Almighty comfort his immediate family, wrap them in His divine peace, and grant us all the strength and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. Amen,” Maikalangu said.
AMAC staff too
Similarly, in a statement on Saturday, Maikalangu extended his heartfelt and deep-seated condolences to the royal father, elders, and the good people of the Gofidna Community in Jiwa Ward over the tragic passing of Mr. Lukman Atakpmuze Abdullahi, a dedicated and hardworking staff member of the Council.
Hon. Maikalangu described the late Lukman as a passionate, vibrant, and selfless young man whose zeal for the progress, development, and unity of his homeland was truly exemplary.
“Lukman was not just a committed staff member of AMAC; he was a driven young leader who possessed an unwavering zeal to see Gofidna and the entire Jiwa Ward thrive.
“His untimely departure is a heavy blow not only to his immediate family and community but to the entire Area Council administration,” the Chairman stated.
Joining the family and community in grief during this difficult period, the Executive Chairman offered solemn prayers for the deceased in accordance with Islamic tradition.
“Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un (To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return). May Almighty Allah (SWT) forgive his shortcomings, accept his good deeds, expand his grave, and grant him a place among the righteous in Jannatul Firdaus.
“We pray that Allah grants his immediate family, the Gofidna community, and all his loved ones the divine patience (Sabr) and strength to bear this irreparable loss,” he said.