••• As Peter Obi, Others Condole with Grieving NDC National Leader
The late Zamani Tanko, a longtime aide to the Senator representing Bayelsa West and National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, was laid to rest amid tears on Saturday in Masaka, Nasarawa State.
The burial, which attracted a large number of clerics and was conducted by the Living Faith Church, was attended by the National Leader of the NDC, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson; his wife, Prof. Rachael Dickson; the Presidential Candidate of the NDC, Mr Peter Obi; and the National Chairman of the party, Senator Moses Cleopas.
Others in attendance included the National Secretary, Barr. Ikenna Morgan Enekwenzu; the member representing Keffi/Karu/Kokona Federal Constituency in Nasarawa State, Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi; and other top leaders and candidates of the NDC.
Obi condoled with the family of the deceased, Senator Dickson, and all friends of the late Zamani, saying he lived an exemplary life worthy of celebration.
The NDC presidential candidate said he flew in from Lagos to attend the burial because of the reputation of the late Zamani as a man of honour and integrity.
He said Zamani lived a life of honour, loyalty, and integrity, as stated by his boss, Senator Dickson, in his moving tribute.
He stressed that the death of Zamani was understandably painful to the Dickson family because it is difficult to find trustworthy people, and losing a trusted aide of many years could be deeply painful.
Obi said death was inevitable, as it is impossible for anybody to buy their way out of sickness or death.
He said Zamani lived a great life and had become a member of the NDC family, which would also remember and support his family.
“We are all here by His grace. We don’t know, neither do we have a choice about death.
“Money cannot buy off sickness and death. You cannot ask somebody to be sick or die for you.
“It is difficult to trust people. If you have one here, it would be painful to lose him.
“He lived for all of us and we will endeavour to be part of the family. I came from Lagos.
“If he was stealing, we wouldn’t be here. We wouldn’t have spent so much time to come from Lagos to attend the burial.”
He stated that while the day was not meant for political campaigns, the NDC family and Nigerians were desirous of a functional system.
“While we are not campaigning, we are tired of people telling us stories. We are desirous of a functional system,” he added.
Earlier, Senator Dickson described the late Zamani as a humble, honest, loyal, and efficient aide, lamenting that he had lost a very good man.
He said Zamani had worked with him for over 15 years and had become a member of his family.
“He was a dedicated and efficient policeman and was well trained.
“Zamani was humble, honest, loyal, and efficient. We have all lost a very good man. There was no day I queried him.
“I am attending this event with my family, my friends, and associates. It is very touching to see him lying in state.
“He was with me as a protective detail when I was running for governor. He had been with me since 2011.
“He worked closely with me, first as a police officer. He was part of my security team, but he became much more than that.
“Zamani became part and parcel of the family. Everyone in my family refers to him as Uncle Zamani.
“Zamani, like some of them, became so trusted. Not only did they become part of the family, they knew all my associates. He was a very dedicated member of my household.
“When he retired after about 35 years of service, he still continued in service.
“I find it difficult to believe that Zamani, who would always be a phone call away sorting out issues and attending to assignments, the Zamani that I saw in the evening, is the one lying in state.
“It has been a very trying time for us. I still call his name when assignments come. It is a painful and touching loss.
“My family and I join you in mourning him.
“He was a dedicated and efficient policeman and was well trained too. Zamani was humble, honest, loyal, and efficient.
“We have all lost a very good man. There was no day I queried him.”
Speaking also, the National Chairman of the NDC, Senator Moses Cleopas, said Zamani’s death had devastated the party.
He recalled that Zamani was invaluable and highly efficient in managing the family’s financial operations without supervision.
“Zamani was a member of the family. We are devastated. It would be difficult to replace him.
“When it comes to finances, you could go to sleep. We are caught in a limbo. It is a painful reality, and we can only trust God.
“Zamani was of great help to everyone close to Senator Dickson.
“We are all members of the Zamani family, and we will be there to render help in anything within our capacity to do.”
