Buhari Mourns as Adamawa Monarch, Stephens Dies

Buhari Mourns as Adamawa Monarch, Stephens Dies

By Daji Sani

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday commiserated with the family of the Hama Bachama and paramount ruler of Bachama Kingdom in Adamawa State, Col. Honest Irmiya Stephens (rtd.), over the transition of the monarch.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, the President also condoled the Bachama Kingdom, the government and people of Adamawa State, noting that the late traditional ruler who received his staff of office on December 15, 2013, served his community, state and the nation creditably.

According to Buhari, the retired military officer and 28th ruler of Bachama Kingdom, “distinguished himself in the Nigerian Army and devoted his post-service years to promoting the development of his people and fostering unity of his fatherland.”

While urging the Bachama Kingdom to elect a worthy successor, the President prayed God to console all those who mourn the departed traditional ruler and grant his soul eternal rest.

The late Bachama died yesterday after a brief illness at his palace in Numan Local Government Area of Adamawa State. He was aged 66.

However, his remains were laid to rest in accordance with Bachama kingdom’s traditional funeral rites at Lamurde, his ancestral town.

The spokesman of the Bachama Kingdom, Mr. Timawus Mathias, who, confirmed the death, said the deceased king died in the early hours of yesterday at his palace in Numan.

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