Many women wept uncontrollably on Friday at the burial of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor and Presidential candidate of the the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2019 presidential election, Dr. Obadiah Mailafia, in Abuja.
They were wailing for a man who was bread winner to them, providing from his purse for them and their families.
Late Mailafia was laid to rest at the Mambilla Barracks cementry.
Presidentof the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Rev. Stephen Baba Panya, eulogised Mailafia, saying his death last September was a loss to the Christian community and the country as a whole.
He advised Christians to be good to mankind and render service, since no one knows exactly when he would be called up.
Baba urged Christians to always be prayerful, watchful and prepared.
Mr Joseph Daramola, the General Secretary, Christian Association Nigeria (CAN), in a message from the association, described Mailafia as a hardworking and committed patriotic Nigerian.
Daramola said that Mailafia was a genuine Christian, adding that the consolation was that he died a foremost defender of the masses and the church.
Mailafia was born on December 24, 1956 in Randa, Sanga Local Government Area of Kaduna State, and survived by a wife, Margaret Mailafia and two children, Emmanuel and Samora.
One of his memorable quotes was “Great states are not products of chance. They are products of imagination, creativity and purpose-driven leadership.’’
Recall that on Thursday, President Muhammadu Buhari, speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, had praised the late local and International technocrat for his undisguised love for the country.
Described often as the voice for the voiceless, Mailafia was a thorn in the flesh of the present administration for its negligence on the issue of insecurity around the country.
Bu the President commended him for his intelligence he brought to bear in both public and private life.
“Late Dr was a devoted Christian, well known Development Economist, International Polymath, Central Banker, academician per-excellence, astute administrator and strategist whose enormous contributions to the growth and development of our nation’s economy are unquantifiable.
“I fondly remember and appreciate his indelible contributions to the transformation of our nation’s banking sector through the Banking Consolidation Exercise during his eventful stint as the then Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria between 2005 and 2006.
“(He) birthed most of the technologically advanced banking services we enjoy today. All thanks to late Dr Mailafia and his team.
“Additionally, Dr Mailafia was a complete family man and humanitarian whose selfless service to his family and contributions to humanity are enumerable.
“He had made his marks as an outstanding individual whose personality transcended local and international borders.
“We have lost a rare gem and we will all miss him for his unimpeachable contributions to nation’s building. His undisguised love for Nigeria was not in doubt.”
The Governor of Benue State, Dr Samuel Ortom, commended the late Mailafia for his courage and love for Nigeria, stressing that his death was painful at a time the nation needed him the most.
Represented by Dr Ishima Ayati, the governor commiserated with members of the family and prayed to God to grant eternal repose to the soul of the Mailafia.
President of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Dr Pogu Bitrus, described the former CBN Deputy Governor of the CBN as a distinguished son of the Middle Belt and national patriot who was committed to ensuring that Nigeria works for all.
“At a time like this, it is painful to mourn the passage of a younger one. Dr Mailafia was courageous, honest and fearless on issues that matter the most. His death has left a huge vacuum and we pray that the Almighty God raise up other Mailafias to continue where he stopped,” Dr Pogu declared.
The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) described the late consummate writer and polymath as a symbol of the struggle to enthrone justice and equity for the diverse people of Nigeria.
Chairman of the Board of Trustee of SOKAPU who spoke for the Union, Elder Steven Bangoji, said, “Dr Mailafia died for the oppressed and stood for those suffering from an unjust system. As long as Nigeria continue to exist as a single political entity, his footprints will always be remembered.
The governor of the CBN, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, sympathised with the family of Dr Mailafia, and described the late central banker as an intelligent personality whose contributions to the growth of the nation will remain indelible.
Professor Yusuf Turaki, who delivered the sermon, recalled the life an times of Mailafia and his courage to stand by his principles at all times. He described the Sanga-born technocrat as a lover of humanity and someone who stood for truth.
