Mr Yusuf Mugu, member representing Kaura Constituency in the Kaduna State House of Assembly, has described his predecessor, Dr Yakubu Bitiyong, who died on Friday in Kaduna as a “dogged politician”.
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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bityong, who represented Kaura Constituency at the Kaduna Assembly, from 2011 to 2019, died on Friday night in Kaduna. He was aged 56.
Mugu said: “Politically, Bitiyong was an icon, a very dogged politician, a fighter and a go-getter. He was an outstanding personality, a father, a brother, a mentor, an administrator and a good sportsman.
“His demise is very unfortunate and a great loss for the people of Moro’a land, Kaduna state and the nation at large,” he told NAN in Kaduna on Saturday.
Mugu said that the former law maker was a source of pride and a great example for the younger ones to emulate.
“His death has left a political vacuum; Bitiyong has left a huge vacuum. He served as a Commissioner for seven years and as elected member of the Kaduna Assembly for eight years.
“We will miss his constructive contributions on issues of development in our land, Kaduna state and the nation.
“But, I believe that his legacies, particularly to the younger ones that he was grooming in the politics and in sports arena, will keep his dream and name alive,” the lawmaker said.
NAN reports that Bitiyong was born on July 6, 1963 in Matuak Rimi, Moro’a Chiefdom in Kaura Local Government Area.
He bagged a Bachelor’s degree in Physical and Health Education from University of Maiduguri, before securing Masters and doctorate degrees in Sport Management from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
He was a Board Member, Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority, from 1999 to 2003.
He was also Commissioner in three ministries – Youths and Sports, Non-Governmental Organisations and Special Duties, between 2003 and 2010.
Bitiyong served two tenures in the Kaduna Hòuse of Assembly, from 2011 – 2019, and attempted to move to the House of Representatives but lost the PDP primaries to the incumbent member, Gideon Gwani.