By Correspondent in Abuja
The Minister of Women Affairs, Paullen Tallen,has described the late Gen. Domkat Bali as a very humble, kindheartedness, transparent and honest man that the country would no doubt miss dearly.
Tallen said this while delivering a speech at the service of song organised for the late General at the COCIN Church, Area 1, Abuja on Monday.
“I got to know Bali through my late husband who was his school mate and his house captain and a dear friend 42 years ago after my marriage.
“He was always visiting us and anytime he was in the house, he always see it as a point of duty to discuss with me and teach me lot of things with my late husband.
“Bali was so fun of me, takes me like his daughter, and I was his best friend, great and nice gentleman, very transparent and honest man.
“What he did recently that touched my heart was that, in spite his ill- health, whenever I go to his house to check on him, most times, he insist that he comes to my house,“she said.
The minister, however, recalled that two years ago, when she celebrated her 6oth birthday, Bali sent a card. Though I did expect him to attend the occasion anyway, but he insisted, came and gave me a nice present.
“I pray that almighty God grant him eternal rest and family, the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.“
One of the close associates of the late General who lost his wife sometime in April, retired Air Commodore Dan Suleiman, noted that members of his family, associates, Nigerians, and other dignitaries had no reason to mourn Bali.
Suleiman expressed optimism that late Bali was with the Lord, resting. Therefore, there was no point mourning him.
“We thank God for his life, he lived a very good live and left a good memory,” he said.
The late General’s wife, Esther Bali, said that her late husband was a very generous person, very humane, honest, tolerant and very dedicated to whatever he engaged in during his life time.
She, however, acknowledged the fact that, the journey was a very rough and tough one, as husband and wife, but that with God on their side, honesty and contentedness, she was able to succeed.
“I am urging the young ladies to make sure they love whoever they chose as their husbands.
“I can assure you that with love, honesty and contentment, your marriage will definitely blossom,“she said.
Esther, however, prayed almighty God to have mercy on the soul of her late husband and grant him eternal rest.
“I dreamt that my husband was flowing in white garment, meaning he is already resting in the bossom hands of the lord.“
Also, the Chairman RCC Abuja/PCC Zaria, Rev. Chrysanthus John, while delivering his sermon prayed that almighty GTO grant the soul of the late General eternal rest.
According to him, Bali lived a life worthy of emulation, not only in the military, but also humanity as a whole.
“Bali was a very dedicated officer, humble, honest very pious, contented, and a philanthropist to the core.
“He did not have to know you, he treated everybody equally, irrespective of your tribe, religious belief, or your ethnicity,“John said.
Bali, who served as Minister for Defence and member of the supreme military council between 1984 and 1985 and the armed forces ruling council, 1985 to 1990, died Dec. 4, after a brief illness at 80.
Other dignitaries who graced the occasion include: the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin and his wife, Mrs Omobolanle Olonisakin, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Ibok Ibas, and Rep. Beni Lar.
