It was grief, anguish, and tears as Prince Paeke Shapnaan Dongban, son of the President, Court of Appeal Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem was committed to earth at the weekend.
His mother, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem was a picture of grief.
The Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong, Governors of Niger, Kebbi, Jigawa as well as the Representative of the Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria were, among numerous sympathisers that attended the funeral.
President Muhammadu Buhari in a condolence message issued by his media aide, Garba Shehu described the death of the 38-year-old mathematician as tragic.
“I am deeply saddened to learn about the sudden demise of your worthy son Paeke. With his passing away, a promising public career has been tragically cut short. In this hour of grief, our thoughts and prayers are with you, your family, and the entire people of Plateau State…” Also, the Northern Governors Forum in a statement described the death of Shapnaan as very sad.
The funeral service which took place at the St. Peters Claver Catholic Church Demshin, Shendam LGA Plateau State was very sombre as friends, associates, and family of the deceased paid their last respects to the late Paeke Shapnaan who was described as a kind, jovial, loving and helpful personality.
Speaking at the funeral service, Governor Simon Lalong said the death of Prince Shapnaan was a painful experience for not only the immediate family but the entire state as he was one of the young professionals that the State groomed for national service.
In a statement by his spokesman, Dr. Makut Simon Macham, Lalong, commiserated with the parents of the deceased HRH Miskoom David Isa Dongban, the Long Dorok of Dorok Chiefdom, and Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem whom he said have had to bear another tragic death of a son having experienced a similar loss some years ago.
He urged them to accept the demise of their son as the will of God and take comfort in the time they shared together as well as his contributions to the family, Plateau State, and Nigeria during his years on earth.
Kebbi State Governor Atiku Bagudu who represented the Nigerian Governors Forum said the Forum was saddened by the death of the young Prince and commiserates with them in the moment of grief and pain.
Shapnaan Dongban died 11 years after the passage of his elder brother, Kwapda’as Rangna’an Samson Dongban, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver in Jos, Plateau State capital in 2011.
