Conference Chairman, Kutigi loses wife

By Hassan Haruna Ginsau

Former Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the ongoing National Conference, Justice Idris Kutigi lost his wife Hajiya Maryam yesterday.

She passed away at the age of 70 at the National hospital at about 2 am yesterday morning following an illness. She was buried at the Gudu cemetery at 11 am in accordance with Islamic rights and is survived by her husband and children.

Deputy Chairman of the conference, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi made the announcement yesterday following resumption of sitting. It is due to the sad development that the conference was forced to adjourn till Monday to enable delegates attend the burial.

Akinyemi said she had been in the hospital for a while now. He praised the chairman for still attending the conference despite the challenges, noting that it was “an indication of sacrifices some leaders were ready to make in order for the country to move forward.”

Delegates who were present at the National judicial Institute, the venue of the conference proceeded to the Gudu cemetery for the burial.

Meanwhile, Governors under the aegis of the Northern States Governors Forum yesterday commiserated with the chairman over his loss.

The Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Niger State, Dr. Mua’azu Babangida Aliyu, through a statement released by his chief press secretary, Israel Ebije expressed sadness over her passing, noting that she died at a time she would have given her husband physical and moral support he needs in handling a major national assignment such as the national conference.

The statement read: “Let me express the pains of the Northern States Governors Forum over the sudden death of Hajiya Maryamu Kutigi. She died at the time her husband needed her most. For us at the forum, it is indeed a huge loss.

“We however pray that Allah (SWT) will grant her Jannatu Firdausi. It is also our prayers that Justice Kutigi will have the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, and we call on members of the ongoing National Conference to rally round their bereaved Chairman to accomplish the national assignment before them.”