Yakowa's widow, Amina, described her 34 years of marriage to her deceased husband as a near perfect union because the former governor was a loyal husband and a good father and grandfather.

Mrs. Yakowa, who spoke during the funeral of her husband yesterday at Fadan Kagoma, said she could not count the blessings of her union with her late husband.

"Together with him, we made a very beautiful family. God blessed our marriage in many ways," she said. "As if he knew that he will go before me, he imbibed in me all the virtues that have been described: the fear of God, peace, patience, respect, loyalty, dedication, humility, justice, hard work, contentment, sharing, sincerity, prudence, and loving among other things. I will live with my children, to partake in the bounties of these virtues."

Mrs. Yakowa called on the people of Kaduna State to put the family in their prayers, just as she prayed that husband's death would bring unity to the people of Kaduna State.

She also thanked President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice president Namadi Sambo and their respective wives for showing that "my husband was part of you."

She also thanked the governors' wives for showing sisterly love to her.

"I will miss you because I will no longer be in your forum," she said. "Most of you have promised me that this relationship has already been established and it will be forever."

The former first lady also congratulated the new governor, Alhaji Muktar Ramalan Yero, whom she described as her younger brother. According to her, since Yero worked with her husband, he will be up to the task, and prayed that God give him wisdom to succeed in the task just as she called on the people to cooperate with the new governor.