Isaiah Balat dies at 62

Balat was a presidential aide

A close aide of President Goodluck Jonathan from northwest Nigeria, Isaiah Balat, is dead.

Mr. Balat, a former senator and minister of works was serving as a senior special adviser to the president in the office of the vice president before his death.

He died in Abuja on Tuesday at about 1pm, his political ally and kinsman, Philip Sule, confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES.

Mr. Balat, 62, was a notable Kaduna politician.

Isaiah Balat Condolence Messages – David Mark

President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, literarily broke down in tears yesterday when the news of the untimely death of Senator Isaiah Balat filtered into town.

Senator Mark lamented the death of Balat whom he described as an astute politician, a distinguished parliamentarian, respectable colleague and gentleman.

Balat was said to have died at the National Hospital, Abuja yesterday after a brief illness.

Senator Mark recalled his relationship with Balat in the Senate between 2003 and 2007 and submitted, “Balat was a friend and a brother.”

He noted that Balat was one of the shinning lights in the political scene and indeed demonstrated his love, patriotism and dedication to the ideals of nationhood.

According to Mark: “In all his dealings, he (Balat) was a shinning example. He represented the best in the political evolution of Nigeria. He was outstanding and forthright and passionate about the indivisibility of our great country, Nigeria.

“We shall miss his candour, his frank and honest dispositions to national issues,”

Senator Mark prayed that God in His infinite mercies grant Balat eternal rest, just as he prayed that the Almighty gives the bereaved the fortitude to bear this painful loss.

Isaiah Balat Condolence Messages – Ramalan Yero

His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Mukhtar Ramalan Yero has expressed shock and sadness over the death of Senator Isaiah Balat, who until his death was a Special Assistant to Vice President Namadi Sambo.

In a Statement by the Director General Media and Publicity, Ahmed Maiyaki, the Governor described the death of Senator Balat as a ‘big loss’ not only to his immediate family and Kaduna State but to the entire country.

Governor Yero said “this unfortunate demise of the late Senator Balat is coming at a time that our state and indeed the entire country needed his experience and patriotic zeal the most. We have lost a rare gem, who dedicated his lifetime to the service of fatherland and humanity.”

The Governor eulogised the late Balat for his immense contribution to building and sustaining Nigeria’s democracy saying “Balat has exhibited the true essence of sacrifice as one of the leading lights of our present democratic dispensation. History will judge him fairly as one of those who gave their all in building a modern, peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.”

While condoling with President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo and the immediate family of the deceased, Governor Yero urged them to take solace in the fact that the late Balat has left his footprints in the sands of time as a former Minister and federal lawmaker.

He said “at this trying moment, our hearts and prayers are with the immediate family of our departed brother, who has left us in a state of shock and deep sorrow.”

On behalf of the Government and the entire good people of Kaduna State, Governor Yero expresses sadness over the death of Senator Balat and prayed that the Almighty God will repose his soul. He also prayed for the good Lord to grant those he left behind the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Isaiah Balat Condolence Messages – Ekweremadu

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has mourned the death of the of the Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Senator Isaiah Balat, describing it as sad and shocking.

Senator Ekweremadu, who described Senator Balat’s death as “a reality that is difficult to come to terms with”, added that the late Senator as “a resourceful lawmaker and selfless politician”

He said: “Apart from his laudable legacies as one Nigerian who rendered selfless service to the nation in many respects, Distinguished Senator Balat was one lawmaker no Member of the 5th Senate would forget in a hurry, for he will always be remembered as a total parliamentarian, a compassionate fellow, an uncommon patriot and a bridge-builder who saw the whole nation as his constituency”.

The Deputy President of the Senate regretted that the late Senator died at a time his experience and inputs were most needed towards the realization of the Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government.

Senator Ekweremadu who prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased, also condoled with the Senator’s immediate family, the presidency, and the government and good people of Kaduna State.

Details later…