BREAKING: Ex-FCT minister, Gen. Jeremiah Useni, dies at 82

The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Lt. Gen. Jeremiah Useni, is dead.

The Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, confirmed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Jos by his Director of Press and Public Affairs (DOPPA), Dr. Gyang Bere.

Useni, who represented Plateau South Senatorial District in the National Assembly between 2015 and 2019, died at the age of 82 after a protracted illness.

Mutfwang, who described Useni’s demise as a huge loss to Plateau State, urged his immediate family and residents of the state in general to take solace in God.

He said: “On behalf of my family, the government, and the peace-loving people of Plateau, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to the President, the Armed Forces, and the Tarok nation over the loss of this distinguished elder statesman.

“I wish to also extend my condolences to his immediate family and relations; I call on them to take solace in God in this trying time.”

The deceased also served as Minister of Transport and Quarter-Master General of the Nigerian Army, among many other appointments during his military career.

After retirement from the military, Useni ventured into politics and served as Deputy National Chairman of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

He was also the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Plateau State during the 2019 general elections.