Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong, on Sunday, 12th April, 2020, received Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila who was in Jos, to condole with the family of his wife over the loss of his mother-in-law, Mrs. Mildred Bisalla, who died at the age of 83.
Governor Lalong who received the Speaker at the Government House, Rayfield, Jos, described the death of Mrs. Mildred Bisalla as a great loss to Plateau State and Nigeria, as she was an epitome of humility, service and godliness.
The Governor and Speaker later visited the residence of the deceased in Jos where they were received by her brother, Archbishop Benjamin Kwashi, Anglican Bishop of Jos Diocese.
Governor Lalong consoled the family and urged them to accept the loss as part of life, taking joy in the fact that the deceased lived a life of love and served her generation in many ways, leaving behind worthy legacies.
He said, “Mama has gone to be with the Lord and we have to accept her call to glory. She left at a time when we are facing very serious challenges with Corona Virus and we need people like them to give us hope and consolation based on their experiences of things that happened before, but unfortunately she has gone to be with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ours is to look at what she has done to emulate her and do better. May her soul rest in peace and may we be consoled”.
He also consoled the Speaker for the loss and appreciated his early visit to sympathize with his in-laws and the people of Plateau State on the departure of Mama, saying the people of the State appreciate the visit.
Archbishop Benjamin Kwashi while responding on behalf of the family thanked the Governor, Simon Lalong and Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, for their words of comfort at the difficult time when they were working hard to overcome the corona virus pandemic, which is ravaging the world.
He said “Your Excellency, Governor Lalong, you have beaten all protocols to visit us at this time when we are all battling to overcome this corona virus pandemic. The family deeply appreciates this visit and we urge Nigerians to continue to support the Government. I have the faith that somehow, the Lord will deliver us from the corona virus Pandemic. I was looking at the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic. It was reported that thousands died around the neighborhood of Jos, but the people were spared. God can still do this for us”.
He commended Speaker Gbajabiamila for standing up for the weak and urged him to continue to advocate the poor who are in majority. This he says is the only way Nigeria can be salvaged because God hearkens to the cries of the poor.
They later visited the mortuary at the Airforce Hospital Jos where the corpse of late Mildred Bisalla had been deposited.
A trained nurse, late Mrs. Mildred Bisalla was the wife of late General Iliya Bisalla. She was Founder of Plateau Nigerian Horticultural Society and a devout Christian who held various positions within the Anglican Church.
Cov. by
Francis Lahnim Kusa
FIC JOS.
