By Hassan Zaggi
Former Military Administrator of old Plateau State, Air Commodore Dan Suleiman (rtd), on Tuesday, lost his wife.
The deceased, Marie, passed away in an Abuja hospital at the age of 75.
Mr. Daniel Suleiman Jnr, the deceased son, disclosed that his mother died from a surgery-related complications after she returned from a medical trip in India.
He described his mother as industrious and hardworking.
According to him: “Her death to me is devastating. She was an inspiration to me and my siblings. She was a strong mother who worked so hard both as a wife and a mother. I will forever cherish her memory.”
Speaking during a condolence visit, the President of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Dr Pogu Bitrus, described the Late Mrs Suleiman as a great tower of inspiration and extolled her for standing by her husband who is one of the leaders of the Middle Belt struggle.
“We commiserate with our leader over the loss of his wife and share in their moment of grief.
“Our prayers are with the bereaved family members of our leader. We pray to the Almighty God to grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
On his part, President of the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), Hon. Jonathan Asake, described her death as shocking.
He extolled the supportive role of the deceased for her family members, especially her husband, during his exile as leader of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO).
Due to the current lockdown over COVID 19, the family is yet to announce burial arrangements for the matriarch.
She is survived by her husband, five children and other relatives.
Mrs Marie was born to a business tycoon, Hassan Hallowi and Hajiya Halima Abubakar on the June 30, 1944.
The young Marie attended Our Lady’s High School in Kaduna State, which was then managed by Catholic nuns for her nursery and primary.
She would later attend the Queen of Apostles College now Queen Amina College, Kaduna.
She left for London to attend Bradford Royal Infirmary to study Nursing in 1960, and I qualified as a registered nurse in 1964.
She proceeded to Charing Cross Hospital, London, where she studied for two years to qualify as a casualty nurse.
