The remains of Prof. Simon Mallam, who died in a gas explosion in Sabo Tasha, Kaduna State, has been laid to rest in his hometown, Malagum, Kaura Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Mallam, a Professor of Nuclear Physics at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, was until his death the Chairman of Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission.
He was among the eight persons killed in the gas explosion on January 4, 2020.
Mallam’s remains was laid to rest on Saturday after a funeral Service held at the Evangelical Church Winning All, Malagum.
The Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonaya Onu, in a message, described Mallam as a rare gem who would be missed greatly.
The Minister, who was represented by Augustine Igwe, Director-General, Nigerian Institute for Trypanosomiasis, urged the family to take solace in God.
“In all situations, we should thank God. He would continue to remain a role model for his family and the nation,” he said.
Onu said Mallam would be remembered for his reputable contributions to his community and the nation at large.
“He has left indelible marks on the sands of time as the legacies he left behind would continue to touch humanity,” he said.
Ufuwai Bonet, the Chief of Kagoro, said Southern Kaduna and the entire nation had lost an illustrious son.
Bonet described late Mallam as “super intelligent”.
“Although, the circumstance of his death was tragic, we must still give God thanks for allowing it,” he said.
The monarch said the Southern Kaduna community would remain proud of the legacies of the late Professor and urged the family to bear the irreplaceable loss.
Rev. Enoch Bitiyong, Secretary of ECWA Kaduna South District Church Council, reading from the book of Revelation 21:1-21, admonished the people to take solace in God, adding: “There is a better place.”
Bitiyong urged the people to emulate the exemplary lifestyle of the deceased, which was characterised by selflessness, generosity and fear of God.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Mallam was member of the Technical Advisory Committee of the Federal Radiation Protection Service in 2003 and Chairman, Technical Advisory Committee on Radioactive Waste Management Policy in 2004.
He was also member, National Committee on Energy Master-plan (Energy Commission of Nigeria) 2006, and Commissioner at the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission before becoming its Chairman/Chief Executive Officer in 2007.
The event attracted an unprecedented turnout of sympathisers, colleagues in the academia, politicians, clergymen and representatives of traditional institutions.
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