July 12th Work Free Day In Kaduna State, Meant To Honour Late Ex-Deputy Governor, Barnabas Yusuf Bala
The Oasis Reporters
July 12, 2021
The Kaduna state government has declares 12th July, a work a free day for late Barnabas Yusuf Bala, alias Bantex.
Yusuf Bala, a minority Christian from Southern Kaduna paired with Governor El-Rufa’i and they governed the former North Central State for one term, as rumours kept emanating that their relationship was somewhat frosty, especially as the Southern Kaduna people didn’t warm up to the governor. Probably due to some fault line primordial sentiments in a sharply divided state of Christians in the south, and Muslims in the northern part of it.
Bantex then fell ill. Finally he was eased out to pursue a senatorial ambition that he probably was not keen about as the determined governor picked a female Muslim candidate to pair with as deputy. Thus ended Yusuf Bala’s political career.
The governor has been large hearted in declaring a public holiday for his erstwhile deputy, as the statement from the government shows:
“The Kaduna State Government has formally announced the death of former Deputy Governor His Excellency, Barnabas Yusuf Bala (Bantex). The state government has declared Monday, 12th July 2021 as a work-free day in honour of his memory and service to the state.
Architect Barnabas Bala, who served as Deputy Governor of Kaduna State from May 2015 to May 2019, died in Abuja.
Malam Nasir El-Rufai has sent a personal message of condolence to the family, noting that it was a blessing to know Bantex and to work with him. The governor acknowledged his commitment to the progress of Kaduna State and prayed God to grant him peaceful repose and to comfort his family.
Signed
Muyiwa Adekeye
Special Adviser to the Governor (Media & Communication)
11th July 2021″.
