The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang has paid a condolence visit to the Chairman of Jos South Local Government Area, Hon. Patrick Silas Dung, following the passing of his father, Mr. Patrick Silla, at the age of 80.
The Governor, who visited the family home in Topp, Rayfield, described the moment as a solemn reminder of the reality of life, urging the bereaved family to find strength in gratitude despite their loss.
Governor Mutfwang stated that moments like these are never easy, but they are the reality of life that cannot be dodged. He conveyed that the government and people of Plateau State had come to express their condolences to the family, while also encouraging them to thank God, noting that for their father to have lived till 80 is no small achievement.
He acknowledged that losing parents is never easy, but God has a way of encouraging people, and he prayed that God would encourage them.
In his response, the Chairman, expressed deep gratitude to the Governor for the visit and the immediate phone call he received upon the announcement of his father’s passing.
Hon. Silas thanked the Governor sincerely for coming to condole with the family, recalling that the Governor called immediately after hearing the announcement to pray for the family.
Providing details about his late father, the Chairman described him as a retired civil servant who served as Zonal Director of Education and later with the Plateau State Scholarship Board. He revealed that Da. Patrick Silla had been bedridden for seven months, spending four months in the Intensive Care Unit before being discharged when doctors could no longer find a medical solution. They had preferred he return home in the hope that being around people might help resuscitate him, but that unfortunately did not happen until he passed on last week Saturday.
The Chairman noted that his father was not just a father to the family but to the entire Du B community. He described him as a grassroots man who retired and joined politics, serving as Supervisory Councillor for Education in 2013.
Hon. Silas announced that the burial has been scheduled for the first week of August. A Christian wake mass will hold on Monday, August 3, at St. Fimber’s Catholic Church in Rayfield. On Tuesday, the cortege will depart Air Force Military Hospital Mortuary by 9:30 a.m. to St. Fimber’s Catholic Church in Rayfield, where the funeral mass will commence at 10 a.m., after which the remains will be laid to rest in the family compound.
The Chairman concluded by thanking the Governor for his leadership and support, describing him as not just a leader but a father who has the interests of everybody at heart. He noted that even within these very hard and difficult moments, the Governor has remained resolute in leading the people God has asked him to lead. He prayed that God would continue to guide the Governor and grant him more wisdom to continue running the affairs of the state.
