The body of a former Military Administrator of Imo State, Colonel Tanko Kurah Zubairu (rtd), was on Friday laid to rest at the Military Cemetery 1 Division Nigerian Army, Kaduna.
The Late Zubairu was appointed Military Administrator of Imo State in the regimes of General Sani Abacha and General Abdulsalam Abubakar.
Speaking at the funeral service held at St. Luke’s Military Church, Comilla Barracks, 44 Nigerian Army Referral Hospital, Kaduna, the Governor of Imo State, Emeka Ihedioha described the former MILAD as a bridge builder and a pillar to humanity.
The Governor, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, said the state was saddened by the death.
According to him, “Imo State is pleased with the records that he has left behind in terms of his contributions to infrastructural development, contributions to peace in Imo State and his initiation of a prayerful Imo State when he started the foundation of bringing in more people to pray.”
The governor expressed his condolences to the family saying, “The government of Imo state will continue to liaise with the family and make sure the relationship is maintained; we regard him as one of us because he has had the privilege to govern Imo state and we will continue to have that regard for him and the family.”
The Federal Commissioner, National Population Commission (NPC), Abdulmalik Mohammed Durunguwa, who also paid his last respects to the departed soul, described the ex-MILAD as a great son of Kachia Local Government Area of the state.
Durunguwa, who is the Sardaunan Ladduga in the council recalled that, “When the deceased was the military administrator of Imo State, he held many people close to him to make them understand that there is something in humanity. And, as far as I am concerned, I wish Colonel Zubairu was honoured before he departed and that is what we need in the society. If somebody is alive, he should be honoured so that people will emulate him.”
Senior Pastor, Recovery House Church, Imo State, Reverend Ugochukwu Unachukwu, who served as Chief of Staff during the deceased administration said, “Colonel Zubairu was ahead of his time, a lot of things stand out in him one of which was his professionalism. He had patience is getting things done and he was not political.”
He urged present-day politicians to practice continuity, adding, “When you take over, you must not start afresh; let there be some continuity, let us try to make some connection with the past and not always start afresh when we come in… we must not borrow to fund our budgets, let us see how we can maximize what we have, and of course try to think through and professionalise what we have.”
Colonel Zubairu handed over in 1999 after rounding off a three-year rescue mission, leaving a better secured Imo State with a better economy and a better template. He was appointed Chairman, Hospital Chapel Board of Trustees of the National Hospital, Abuja.
He was until his death an active member of the Retired Army, Navy and Air Force Officers (RANAO) Association of Nigeria. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Joy Zubairu, children and grandchildren.
Colonel Zubairu was born on 3oth June, 1947 in Kurmin Rami village, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
