By Labaran Tijani, Lokoja.
With deep shock, the Igala Cultural Development Association (ICDA) received the death of Alhaji Abdullai Ibrahim(SAN), a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation and the first SAN in Northern Nigeria who transited into enternity on Sunday January 24,2021.
The ICDA described the death of Sardauna Ankpa who was also one time Minister of Transport and Aviation; Education; and Science and Technology in Nigeria as a monumental loss to the people of Igala ethnic nationality in the east flank of Kogi State, and the country in general.
In a condolence message signed and made available to the journalists in Lokoja by Director of Operation of the Caretaker Committee of ICDA, Goodman Akwu, the association noted that the deceased was a very well respected legal luminary who at a time was Chairman, body of Benchers, saying , a big Iroko has fallen in Igala nation, by his demise.
While the Association stated unequivocally that the deceased had made his marks in the sands of times in the old and modern Nigeria, the body emphasised that he will ever be remembered as a shrewd administrator and an accomplished legal luminary who has blaized the trail in different capacities in the country.
The Association therefore stated that it was heart sheering to note that the nation recognised his contributions by conferring on him the national honours : Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR) and Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON).
“He was a great nationalist who believed in a better Nigeria with an incorruptible justice system. He also believed in community service ,particularly giving back to help others to rise.
“He was a grandfather, father and mentor to so many people in Kogi State: the Igala home land, Ankpa LGA, particularly the Ankpa Support Group will take a very long time to recover from this particular loss”, the condolence message noted.
The Apex Igala Cultural organization prayed for God to repose his soul and give the immediate family the fortitude to bear the loss.