Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa yesterday hosted former governors of the state, Alhaji Mohammed Makarfi, Alhaji Lawan Kaita, Col Umar Farouk Ahmed (rtd) and Alhaji Usman Faruk, former military governor of North-West from 1967-1975. Others in the reception party were prominent personalities which include former Chief of Army Staff, General Martin Agwai, Bishop-elect of Sokoto Diocese Matthew Hassan Kukah, and a former minister Alhaji Umaru Dembo.
Sources at the breaking of the Ramadan fasting reception said that Makarfi spoke of the need for national unity and integration, which he said was key to achieving national development.
He also urged all well-meaning citizens and friends of Kaduna State to work hard towards sustaining the peace and development of the state, a position re-echoed by Alhaji Dembo.
Alhaji Faruk, on his part, stated the need for collaboration between past leaders and the present ones so that valuable experience was shared in tackling challenges associated with leadership.
Governor Yakowa in his remarks told his guests that he was a product of unity and integration, and that he was running a government with doors open to welcome inputs that would ensure that the state develops, and said that he was working from the template set by his predecessors.
Yakowa also stated that he would continue to run the affairs of the state on the premise of justice, equity and togetherness without recourse to differences which he said had helped the state to record success so far achieved.
Meanwhile, Yakowa on behalf of government and people of the state has commiserated with the family of late actor Sam Loco Efe, who died last week.
A statement signed by his media aid Reuben Buhari, said that Governor Yakowa and the people of Kaduna condoled with the family of Mr. Sam Loco Efe and the Edo State Government over the untimely demise of the ace actor. It described the late actor as one who took the movie industry, Nollywood, to great heights.?