The Plateau State Government on Monday announced the death of the Chairman, Jos-East Local Government Area, Dr. Hosea Azi. The state Governor, Mr. Simon Lalong, said Azi, who was sworn in as the chairman of the council on Friday, died in a car accident at Geraku, Nasarawa State on Sunday. The governor was quoted in a statement signed by his Director of Press Affairs, Mr. Emmanuel Nanle, as saying that Azi’s death was shocking.
“I received the news of the sudden demise of the newly sworn-in Management Committee Chairman of Jos East Local Government Council, Dr Hosea Azi, with great shock,” Lalong said. The statement explained that Azi was on his way to Abuja when the vehicle he was travelling in ran into a stationary truck, killing him and two others. Lalong described Azi as an astute politician and an academic of repute, who was appointed into government to provide the needed people-oriented leadership having garnered experience as a member of the Plateau House of Assembly.
The governor sent the government’s condolences to the people of Jos- East, as well as the family of the deceased, and prayed God to grant everyone the fortitude to bear the loss. Azi was sworn in to replace Mr. Sanda Daura, who was removed from office “in response to the yearnings of the People of Jos East,” the News Agency of Nigeria reported. The statement, however, debunked the initial reports that Azi had the accident with kidnappers that were racing away with him toward an unknown destination.
“Family sources have dismissed such rumour; government has actually confirmed that the death occurred while he was on his way to a legitimate function in Abuja,” the statement said.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
