Mandiya distinguished himself as a thoroughbred legislator during his tenure in the Senate, particularly as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Water Resources
By Mmesoma Onwuka
Former President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of his close friend and former colleague, Senator Bello Mandiya.
Lawan, in a condolence message, said he received news of Mandiya’s death with a heavy heart, while accepting the will of Almighty Allah.
He described the deceased as a trusted confidant whose friendship with him predated their time together in the 9th Senate.
According to him, Mandiya distinguished himself as a thoroughbred legislator during his tenure in the Senate, particularly as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Water Resources.
Lawan said the late senator brought diligence, intellect and a strong sense of responsibility to the committee’s oversight of the water resources sector, which he described as critical to the wellbeing of millions of Nigerians.
He noted that Mandiya, who represented Katsina South Senatorial District, served his constituents and the nation with exceptional commitment to good governance.
The former Senate President also described Mandiya as a peacemaker, a man of integrity and a dependable pillar of support to him personally and to the leadership of the Senate.
“His calm demeanour and genuine friendship were qualities I relied upon heavily,” Lawan said, adding that the late senator was greatly respected and cherished by his colleagues.
Lawan said Mandiya’s death had created a vacuum that would be extremely difficult to fill.
“My heart goes out to his immediate family, the government and people of Katsina State. We have lost a distinguished lawmaker,” he said.
He prayed to Almighty Allah to forgive the deceased’s shortcomings, accept his good deeds and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.
Lawan also prayed for strength and fortitude for Mandiya’s family, friends, colleagues and all those affected by his death to bear the loss.