The spokesperson for Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, Mallam Isa Gusau, has passed away. He reportedly died on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at a hospital in New Delhi, India, following an extended illness.
A source shared, “We have lost Isa to the cold hands of death; he was unconscious for about three days. We were all praying for his recovery, but it was quite unfortunate that we lost him this evening (yesterday) in the hospital in New Delhi, India,” as reported by ThisDay.
Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Senior Special Assistant on Print Media, confirmed the news on his official Facebook page, saying, “Inna lillahi wa inna illaihir raji’un. May the soul of Malam Isa Gusau find favor with Almighty Allah. He was a gentle and hard-working man, perhaps having the record of being the longest-serving spokesperson to a governor, having served then-Governor Kashim Shettima and later working with his successor, Governor Babagana Zulum. The sterling public images of the duo owe a lot to Isa Gusau’s expertise and diligence.”
As of now, the Borno State government has not issued an official statement regarding Isa Gusau’s death, and it remains uncertain whether his remains will be repatriated for interment.
In a related development, Obebhatein Jonathan, elder sister to former President Goodluck Jonathan, has also passed away. She died on Thursday at the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, after a brief illness, at the age of 70.
A statement from Mr. Jonathan’s media office described the deceased, popularly known as Amissi, as a retired teacher, businesswoman, loving mother, and grandmother who lived a dedicated life of service to God and humanity. The burial is scheduled for Tuesday, February 16, with further details to be announced by the family.
Mrs. Jonathan is survived by three children, siblings, including former President Jonathan, and her mother Eunice Afeni-Jonathan.
