Acting governor pledges scholarship for late Speaker’s children

The Acting Governor of of the north eastern state of Taraba, Alhaji Garba Umar, on Monday condoled with the family of the late Speaker, Mr Haruna Tsokwa, and pledged to sponsor the education of his children.

Umar, who paid a condolence visit to the deceased’s family in Jalingo, described the late speaker as “a fine gentleman who was an embodiment of humility, honesty and diligence.

“I received the news of his death with great shock; it is a great loss to the government and people of the state. The government will not only sponsor the education of all his children from primary to university level, but it will also ensure that his wife is engaged meaningfully to support the family,’’ he said.

Umar, however, called on the people of the state to remain calm, pledging that the government would do everything possible to maintain peace in the state.

He also urged the people to support whoever emerged as the new speaker to give room for peace and development in the state.

Besides, Alhaji Tanko Maikerifi, the Deputy Speaker, described the late speaker “as a true friend who was courageous and trustworthy at all times’’.

Rev. Martin Tsokwa, a brother to the deceased, who spoke on behalf of the family, thanked the government for the show of love at their moment of challenge.

He said that the family did not suspect anybody as the mastermind the speaker’s death, adding that it rather viewed the incident as an act of God.

The speaker died at the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, on Monday morning.