Borno Buries Deputy Governor, Zannah

From Tom Garba, Yola
The Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Umar Mustapha Zannah, on Saturday found dead in a hotel room along Barracks road in Yola, Adamawa State.
Zannah flew from Maiduguri, Borno State capital, to Abuja, on Friday, where he boarded a flight to Yola to attend the convocation ceremony of Modibbo Adama University of Technology (MAUTEC), Yola where the Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) degree was conferred on a former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Ali Chiroma, on Saturday.
A press statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Usman Jidda Shuwa, confirmed the death.
The statement said. “It is with deep sense of utter shock and disbelief but with complete submission to the will of the Almighty Allah that the Borno State Government hereby announces the passing awy of His Excellency, Alhaji Zannah Umar Mustapha, the Deputy Governor of Borno State
“He died in his sleep this morning in Yola, Adamawa State where he was to represent Borno State Government at the convocation ceremony of Modibbo Adama University of Science and Technology, Yola.
“He was also scheduled to follow up on his earlier visit to Yola, in connection with the welfare of Borno State citizens internally displaced as a result of the Boko Haram insurgency.
“His is remains would be brought to Maiduguri for funeral at the Government House, Maiduguri at 4pm today, Saturday, 15th August, 2015. He will be buried in Maiduguri.
“His Excellency, Hon. Kashim Shettima, the Executive Governor of Borno State, expresses his heartfelt condolence to the family of the Deputy Governor and the entire people of Borno State for the irreparable loss and appealed for prayers for the repose of the soul of our late Deputy Governor.
“May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace, Amen.”
The remains of the deputy governor were flown to Maiduguri on Saturday where the final interment prayer was carried out in a large congregation, led by the Imam Idayn of Borno, Imam Adam Asil Ibn El-sunusiya.
Those at the funeral prayer included the Borno state governor, the deputy governors of Adamawa and Yobe states, the national security adviser, Maj-Gen Babagana Monguno (rtd) and all the service chiefs, former senators and serving House of Representatives members as well as the members of the state House of Assembly.
Zannah’s remains were later taken to the Maiduguri Cemetery where it was interred at the designated place for important figures.