President Goodluck Jonathan has lamented the death of former Minister of State for Works during the tenure of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s, Senator Isaiah Balat.
Balat, who was also Special Adviser on Special Duties to Vice President Namadi Sambo died at the National Hospital Abuja today, aged 62.
“President Goodluck Jonathan received with great shock and sorrow this afternoon, news of the sudden death of Senator Isaiah Balat, the special adviser (special duties) to Vice President Namadi Sambo”, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati wrote in a statement.
“On behalf of himself and the Federal Government, President extends sincere condolences to the Vice President, his staff and all others who had the pleasure of working with Senator Balat at the Presidential Villa”.
Jonathan also condoled with Senator Balat’s wife, children, relatives, his kinsmen, people of Kaduna State and supporters whose interests he capably represented and defended throughout his political career.
“He joins them in mourning the very affable political leader who will be remembered for serving meritoriously as a Senator and Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, Abati said, conveying the prayers of the president that God Almighty will receive the soul of Senator Balat, whom he had the pleasure of working with at close quarters in the Presidential Villa over the past three years and grant him eternal rest.
Also reacting, former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar described the death as one that depletes the country of a vanishing breed of bridge-builders diligently committed to holding together the fabrics of Nigeria.
In a statement issued by his media office in Abuja, Atiku said the demise of Balat has robbed the country of a much-needed broadminded politician with a knack for bringing people together, especially in Kaduna State where his influence provided a lot of stability.
“Isaiah Balat was in the same cabinet with me as Vice President. He was a Minister of State in the works ministry. His greatest strength was his broadmindedness and tolerance that abhorred divisions along religious or ethnic lines”, Atiku recalled.
“He identified with you irrespective of whether you were a Muslim or a Christian or of the majority or ethnic stock. In all his callings, Balat was a patriot, committed to the service of his country and humanity”.
On behalf of his family, Atiku expressed his condolences to the family of Senator Isaiah Balat, Vice President Namadi Sambo and the people and government of Kaduna State over the loss.
