Senator Dantong remembered one year after death

The senator died last year at a mass burial in Plateau State.

While marking the one year anniversary of the death of her husband, Hanatu Dantong, wife of Gyang Dantong, a former member of the Senate, representing Plateau North, thanked God for her family’s sustenance.

The widow, however, refused any formal remembrance of her husband by the state, saying that his death was still fresh in the heart of family members.

“If God could sustain us during the past one year of the demise of my husband, he will do it for the rest of the years we will live here on earth,” she said.

The late senator who was the chairman, Senate Committee on Health, died on July 8, 2012 while attending a mass burial of over 50 persons who were killed in a communal clash in Gashik district, Barkinladi Local Government Area, Plateau State.

Mr. Dantong died alongside a member of the state house of assembly, representing Barkinladi, Gyang Fulani. Both were buried the same day at their separate residences in Jos. Mr Dantong’s funeral was attended by the Senate President, David Mark.

Speaking at the one year anniversary of the late senator’s death, his senior legislative aide, Dan Manjang, referred to his boss’ death as “God’s destiny.”

“He has done his part and left a vacuum to be filled,” Mr. Manjang said. “We have taken consolation in God that since his departure we have not buried anyone else. Therefore, we thank God for his mercies.”

Following Mr. Dantong’s death, Gyang Pwajok was elected last November to replace him at the National Assembly.

According to his family, following his burial, none of his colleagues at the National Assembly outside the state, have visited his bereaved family.

Meanwhile, Keneng Fulani, the wife of the late state legislator, was elected, in honour of her husband, to complete his tenure at the State House of Assembly. However, she was not granted his former status as majority leader.