By Attah Ede
The Katsina State Government, on Tuesday announced the death of ex- Senator representing Katsina South Senatorial District, Bello Mandiya, who died at the age of 62.
The late federal lawmaker’s death was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday.
In the statement, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda stated that Bello’s death was a shock and sad one, saying it is a great loss to Katsina State and Nigeria.
He said Mandiya was a committed public servant whose contributions to the development of Katsina State and the country would be remembered.
Radda condoled with the deceased’s family, the people of Katsina South, his political associates and friends, as well as his colleagues in the ninth Senate.
The late senator served as Chief of Staff to former Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari and was elected to the Senate in 2019 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Meanwhile, many prominent Nigerians including former colleagues and associates have paid tribute, describing the ex- lawmaker as a trusted confidant, peacemaker and dedicated lawmaker.
Immediate past Senate President Ahmad Lawan noted that Mandiya was a “thoroughbred lawmaker” who brought diligence, intellect and a deep sense of responsibility to his duties.
Lawan particularly recalled Mandiya’s tenure as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Water Resources.
Also mourning the former senator, founder of Agora Policy and former Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, Waziri Adio, said his friendship with Mandiya dated back to 1988.
Adio expressed sadness over the former lawmaker’s death, recalling their longstanding relationship and describing his demise as a painful loss.
