Ex-Plateau governor, Dariye, preaches forgiveness at Botmang’s funeral

The two men reconciled before Mr. Botmang’s death

The remains of the former deputy Governor of Plateau State, Michael Botmang, has been committed to mother earth on Thursday with his former boss preaching forgiveness at the funeral.

Mr. Botmang, 76, died on January 18 at his resident in Zawan after a protracted kidney disease.

At the funeral mass for the deceased, the Archbishop of Jos, Ignatius Kaigama, urged politicians in the country not to keep malice with one another as life on earth was short and temporary.

“Do not mortgage your salvation with politics,” Mr. Kaigama urged.

The cleric said late Mr. Botmang touched the lives of the less privileged in a positive way. He urged serving politicians to emulate the political life style of the former deputy governor.

The deputy Governor of Plateau State, Ignatius Longjan, said Mr. Botmang was an asset not just to his immediate community, but the entire state.

Mr. Longjan acknowledged Mr. Botmang’s contributions to the development of the state.

“He will be greatly missed by all of us who knows him as a sound and soft minded person. He contributed his quota to the development of our dear state, his impact will remain fresh in our minds,” Mr. Longjan said.

Speaking with reporters shortly after the church service, a former governor of the state, Joshua Dariye, under whom Mr. Botmang served as deputy for two terms, called the deceased a humble man.

Mr. Dariye also said that he had made peace with his former deputy before the latter’s death.

“If you cannot forgive yourself, then, you cannot forgive any one; we have forgiven our selves long ago. That is why I always tell people I come across each day not to hold people in mind; we should learn to forgive ourselves no matter the issues. The life we are living today is temporary; none of us will be buried with his or her wealth, title and positions. The political offices we have held and some of us are currently occupying here on earth are a mere privilege,” Mr. Dariye said.

Mr. Botmang’s widow, Lydia, while thanking sympathisers, said her husband was a God-fearing person who accorded respect to all humanity. She said her late husband made amends with all his perceived political enemies before his death.

Some of the guests at the funeral included Plateau State Deputy Governor, Ignatius Longjan, Kennedy Waku, Joshua Dariye, Gyang Pwajok, Fedelis Tapgun, Ibrahim Mantu, Yahaya Kwande, Pauline Tallen, Jeremiah Useni, Shardrack Best, Bitrus Atukum, members of the state executive council, national and state assembly members, as well as traditional rulers.