President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a condolence message to the people and government of Plateau State over the passing of retired military officer, Gen. Domkat Bali, who served the country as Minister of Defence.
This was made known on Friday in a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Publicity, Shehu Garba.
The Former Minister of Defence, General Domkat Yah Bali, died, aged 80.
It read, “President Muhammadu Buhari condoles with the people and government of Plateau State over the passing of an illustrious son and highly decorated retired military officer, Gen. Domkat Bali, who served the country as Minister of Defence.”
According to the statement, President Buhari spoke with the wife of the deceased, Esther, on Friday and commiserated with other family members, friends and professional associates of the former member of the Supreme Military Council and Armed Forces Ruling Council, who rose through the ranks with a distinguished military career, and reached the peak as Chief of Defence Staff.
“President Buhari believes the records of bravery and patriotism of Gen. Bali, the Ponzhi Tarok, will continue to inspire young military officers, while the foundation he laid in all the commands he headed will always be remembered,” the statement read.
The President has also constituted a delegation led by the Minister of Defence, Maj-Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) to visit the family, and condole with government and people of the state over the loss.
The late former Defense Minister, Bali, was a respected general and member of the highest decision making body of government during the military era of the 1980s.
During Buhari’s military regime as Major General, late Bali was also a member of the Supreme Military Council from 1984 to 1985.
He also served during thr regime of General Ibrahim Babangida as member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council from 1985 to 1990.
