FG mourns Isaiah Balat, extols his excellent life

The Nigerian Government has expressed shock and deep sense of loss over the death of Isaiah Chawai Balat, which occurred on Thursday, February 18, 2014.

President Goodluck Jonathan, who was represented by the Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo in his tribute at the burial ceremony which held recently in Bafai Gora in the Zangon-Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State said that the country has lost a colossus and excellent gentleman.

He said: “Senator Balat personified hard work, dedication and commitment to service. From a very humble beginning, he rose to greatness. A rare gem that he was, he has served his society by overcoming some major challenges and turning them into opportunities, achieving greatness in life. He was a successful entrepreneur, a great politician and an erudite personality, who has successfully employed these positive traits to the great admiration of the people.”
President Jonathan inferred that the late Isaiah Balat was highly detribalized, accommodating, resilient and a bridge builder who has coursed unity amongst the people of Kaduna State and Nigeria generally. He further described him as a great humanist who was deeply compassionate and impacted positively on the lives of many through his philanthropic gestures to people.

He extended Federal Government’s condolences to members of the immediate family, the Gora community and Kaduna State and urged them to emulate the exemplary life of late Balat as well as immortalise him by following the path of honor he has set out for them, having served his fatherland as Minister, Senator and later Special Adviser to the President in the office of the Vice President.

According to him, he supported the creation of Gurara State which was demanded by the people and through him, the Federal Government has provided several projects for the people of Southern Kaduna such as the multi-purpose Gurara Dam, the 132kva sub-station which will provide ten megawatts of electricity to Southern Kaduna, irrigation, fishery as well as an Agricultural institute. He also noted that the new railway and dual carriage way from Abuja-Jere road would be commissioned soon.

Several dignitaries also paid tribute to the deceased, including Jerry Gana, who spoke on behalf of friends, saying Isaiah Balat lived a life of faith, stood by his words and was the founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). A representative of Southern Kaduna at the occasion described his death as a great loss to the community and urged the government to complete the secondary school and other projects which he started as well as deal with the issue of insecurity in the area.

Also speaking, the Governor of Kaduna State, Murkhtar Ramalan Yero said that the late senator lived a fulfilled life. He assured the people of the completion of the school which they have commenced building, while discussing with the Plateau State Governor on tackling security crisis.

Other dignitaries present at the occasion were government officials, members of the National Assembly led by the Senate President, David Mark and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, the Governors of Bauchi and Plateau States, clergies, traditional rulers and representatives of some organized bodies.