The remains of Sen. Mustapha Bukar have been buried in Daura, Katsina state, on Wednesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that Bukar’s body was committed to earth at the Daura central cemetery at 6.14 p.m.
The state Governor, Alhaji Aminu Masari, who led people to the burial, described the death of the senator as an “act of God’’.
Late Bukar’s colleagues at the Senate, who attended the funeral included Ahmed Lawan, Aliyu Wammako, Abu Ibrahim and Umar Kurfi.
Other dignitaries at the burial were Deputy Governor of Katsina state, Alhaji Manir Yakubu and Speaker of the House of Assembly, Alhaji Abubakar Kusada, who led members of the House.
President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the government and people of Katsina State and the National Assembly on the passing away of Sen. Bukar.
In a condolence message issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Wednesday, Buhari described Bukar’s death as a “great loss to Nigeria’s democracy and the engineering profession.’’
Buhari also condoled with the family members, friends and professional colleagues of the legislator, who distinguished himself as an engineer before vying for political office to serve his people.
According to him, as a young engineer, the deceased used his ingenuity to proffer a lasting solution to the perennial water crisis in Katsina.
Bukar had worked variously as a General Manager of the Water Board, Director of National Water Rehabilitation Project and Director, Water Supply at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources.
Buhari said: “Sen. Bukar was so dedicated to his responsibilities and hardworking that he got an appointment with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources, where he also demonstrated the same dedication and passion for service.
“I am always touched by the death of dedicated and creative public servants like Sen. Bukar.
“We should emulate such rare and hardworking Nigerians for the progress of our country.’’
President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, on Wednesday also expressed deep sorrow over the death of Senator Bukar.
In a statement by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, in Abuja, Saraki described the death of Senator Bukar as one too many coming a few weeks after the Red Chamber lost Senator Ali Wakili.
“I am saddened to learn about the passing of another friend and colleague, Senator Mustapha Bukar. When I and some of my colleagues visited Senator Bukar in the hospital after Jummat prayers last Friday, we prayed with him and we were filled with hope that he would soon recuperate and resume his normal life and legislative activities.
“As a first-time lawmaker, Senator Bukar stood out for the quality of his contributions on the floor, his pragmatism and his work to strengthen the institution of the legislature. We shall sorely miss his vibrancy and progressive mindset.
“But now that he is no more, we cannot query Almighty Allah over the incident because He gives and takes as it pleases Him. The late Bukar was forthright and gentle in all his dealings.
“This is indeed another painful moment for the Senate, a sad moment for his immediate family, his constituents in Katsina North Senatorial District and the people and government of Katsina State.
“As we mourn his passing, my thoughts and prayers are with his family, President Muhammadu Buhari and the government and people of Katdina State. I pray that the Almighty Allah, in his infinite grace, grants the dear and departed Senator a place among the righteous ones in Aljannah firdaus,” Saraki stated.
Also, Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, has described the death of Sen. Mustapha Bukar as a great loss.
Dogara made this known in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Mr Turaki Hassan, in Abuja on Wednesday.
Bukar, 63, who represents Katsina North Senatorial District, died in the early hours of Wednesday in an Abuja hospital.
The speaker said that Bukar died when the National Assembly was still mourning the demise of Umar Jibrin from Kogi and Sen. Ali Wakili from Bauchi.
According to him, Bukar’s demise came barely a week after late Jibrin’s, and less than a month after the demise of Wakili.
He described late Bukar as a fine gentleman who exhibited high moral disposition, earned respect from his colleagues and associates.
“This is a great loss and painful one for that matter, especially coming at a time when we are still mourning the demise of two of our colleagues, and distinguished lawmakers.
“Sen. Bukar was a respected lawmaker, a fine gentleman who carried himself with a lot of dignity and contributed immensely to the growth of the parliament and democracy in general.
“He was a patriotic politician whose exploits in the Senate were eventful.’’
Dogara extended the condolences of the House to President Muhammadu Buhari, Government and people of Katsina State, particularly the Daura Zone and the immediate family of the deceased over the loss.
