By Adamu Yusuf
Former Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, Kabiru Kasimu, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former Commissioner for Information in Kaduna State and former Amirul Hajj, Alhaji Rabiu Bako.
In a condolence message, Kabiru Kasimu described the late Alhaji Rabiu Bako as a veteran broadcaster, seasoned administrator, and an outstanding statesman whose contributions to public service and religious leadership left a lasting legacy.
He recalled working closely with the deceased in 2014, when Alhaji Rabiu Bako served as Amirul Hajj of Kaduna State, while he was Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.
Kabiru Kasimu said the period was marked by exemplary leadership, noting that Alhaji Rabiu Bako demonstrated uncommon dedication to the welfare of Kaduna State pilgrims by actively supervising operations on the ground in Makkah and Madinah, rather than leading from afar.
He described the late Amirul Hajj as calm, wise, and highly diplomatic, adding that his background as a seasoned communicator helped in resolving challenges associated with Hajj operations efficiently.
According to him, Alhaji Rabiu Bako’s contributions to the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and the Kaduna State Executive Council significantly shaped the information sector, but his service to pilgrims would remain one of his most enduring legacies.
Kabiru Kasimu extended condolences to the immediate family of the deceased, the Kaduna State Government, and the media fraternity, praying that Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest in Al-Jannatul Firdaus.
The former Commissioner for Information in Kaduna State and former staff of Radio Nigeria Kaduna, Alhaji Rabiu Bako died today Sunday at the age of eighty eight, at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital after a prolonged illness.
He is survived by two wives, thirteen children, and many grandchildren, among them Abdullahi Bako of Radio Nigeria Kaduna.
Alhaji Rabiu Bako served Kaduna State and left an indelible mark on the information sector through his contributions to the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria and the Kaduna State Executive Council and one time Amirul Hajj of Kaduna State in 2014.
The Janazah (funeral prayer) will be held today at 2:00 p.m. at the Kano Road Juma’a Mosque.
