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Tag: Mourn

  • Buhari, Fayemi, Obi, others mourn Arthur Nwankwo

    Buhari, Fayemi, Obi, others mourn Arthur Nwankwo

    President Muhammadu Buhari has mourned the death of former Vice Chairman of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Dr Arthur Agwuncha Nwankwo.

    Dr Nwankwo, also the Founder and Chancellor of the Eastern Mandate Union (EMU), died on Saturday.

    He was 78.

    In a condolence message to the family and friends of the departed as well as all the people of Anambra State, the President noted that “the sacrifices and labour of the nationalist will always be remembered by posterity”.

    President Buhari, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, said the late Dr Nwankwo stood for a united and democratically developed Nigeria, at great risks.

    “The President commiserates with family, friends, professional and political associates of Dr Nwankwo, urging them to find solace in the contributions of the writer to national and global development by consistently pursuing and projecting values of peace, unity and love.

    “President Buhari affirms that the late writer’s bridge-building efforts, like supporting the famous Handshake Across the Niger, and carefully picking the themes of his many publications to reflect national unity, while advocating for a collective vision, had served the purpose.

    “The President believes Dr Nwankwo’s investments in humanity will endure, especially standing for democracy and development at great risks, and working hard to ensure that the pivotal institutions are strengthened and sustained.

    “President Buhari prays that the almighty God will receive the soul of the departed statesman, and comfort his family,” the statement said.

    Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi as well as a former presidential candidate and businessman, Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, have mourned Dr Nwankwo.

    Fayemi described Nwankwo’s death as a huge loss to the pro-democracy family and Nigeria, while Olawepo-Hashim said the late human rights crusader was an intellectual giant, patriot and crusader for democracy.

    In a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Yinka Oyebode, the Ekiti State governor noted that the late Dr Nwankwo was among the country’s foremost rights activists and a patriot who defied all odds in the battle against military dictatorship, which led to the enthronement of democracy in the country.

    Olawepo-Hashim said the late Dr. Nwankwo lived an exemplary life for the promotion of good governance in Nigeria.

    The late Dr. Nwankwo was running mate to Olawepo-Hashim during the 2019 presidential election.

    In a statement in Abuja by his Chief Press Secretary, Hassan Ibrahim, the former presidential candidate said Nigeria, indeed the world, would miss Dr. Nwankwo at a time his contributions and counsel for the furtherance of a progressive Nigeria was needed.

    The late Nwanko, he said, worked tirelessly for the return of Nigeria to democracy and deserved to be immortalised.

    Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi described the late Dr. Nwankwo as a unique Igbo man and a true Nigerian who deployed everything available to him to the liberation of the people and advancement of humanity.

    Obi was reacting at the weekend to the death of Dr. Nwankwo.

    He recalled Dr. Nwankwo’s “literary flowering” as a publisher and an author, saying the late writer saw “the pen as an instrument against abuse of human rights, dictatorship and absurdity”.

    Obi, who said he had read some of his books, especially on the Civil War, lauded his unique ability to explain events and ideas in simple and exciting terms.

    “One would also dictate patriotic zeal in every line of his writing, especially while condemning bad governance and offering solutions on how to get the business of managing Nigeria right by tackling corruption and related vices,” Obi said

  • Edwin Clark mourns younger brother

    Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has described the death of his younger brother, Major-Gen. Henry Clark (rtd), as devastating, shocking and heart breaking, especially for the very fact that the late brother was not sick.

    The late Clark reportedly died peacefully on Tuesday, two days to his 71st birthday at his Enerhen home, near Warri.

    He was a former Military Secretary (Nigerian Army), a one-time Registrar of Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna and until his death, was Chairman, GenClark Marine Limited.

    The senior Clark said the death of his younger sibling is a big loss to the family.

    Also, Delta State governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, said the news of his death came as a shock.

    Okowa said: “On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I mourn the passing of a gentleman and thoroughbred army officer, Gen. Henry Clark, who reportedly died peacefully on Tuesday.

    The news of his death came to me as a shock and I send my heartfelt condolences to the family, people of Kiagbodo, the entire Ijaw nation and the Nigerian Army on the passing of the elder statesman and top-notch army general.

    Gen. Clark had an illustrious military career and served the nation with all his heart, with full dedication and commitment to duty and was reputed to have established the elite corps of paratroopers in the Nigerian Army.”

    The Middle Belt Forum led by former Military Governor of Plateau State, Commodore. Dan Suleiman, the Forum’s President, Bitrus Porgu, former governor of Kwara State, Cornelius Adebayo; former Minister of Aviation, Alabo Graham Douglas; former Minister of Education, Professor Ihechukwu Madubuike and Amb. Godknows Igali, among others, have paid condolence visit to the elder statesman.

  • Buhari mourns Senator Akinfenwa

    Buhari mourns Senator Akinfenwa

    President Muhammadu Buhari has extended heartfelt condolences to the Akinfenwa family on the demise of Senator Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa, former national chairman of Alliance for Democracy.

    Buhari, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, also commiserated with the government and people of Osun State on the loss of the elder statesman, who represented Osun East constituency in the National Assembly from 1999 to 2003.

    As a professional teacher, labour activist, politician and community leader, President Buhari believed that Senator Akinfenwa dedicated his life to the service of others; even as he worked tirelessly to promote unity and cooperation among Nigerians of different walks of life.

    The President prayed God almighty to comfort all who mourn the late senator and grant the soul of the departed eternal rest.

  • Buhari mourns ex-Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe

    Buhari mourns ex-Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe

    President Muhammadu Buhari has sent condolences to the government and people of Zimbabwe over the passing of the founding father and former President, Robert Mugabe, 95.

    The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Chief Femi Adesina, commiserated with family members, friends and political associates of the political activist who fought for the independence of the country from colonial rule, and lived most of his life in public service

    President Buhari believed Mugabe’s sacrifices, especially in struggling for the political and economic emancipation of his people, will always be remembered by posterity.

    He prayed that the Almighty God will grant the soul of the former president rest and comfort his loved ones.

  • Buhari has no moral justification to mourn Shagari – Junaid

    A Second Republic lawmaker, Dr Junaid Mohammed, has said President Muhammadu Buhari has no moral justification to mourn late President Shehu Shagari, who passed away on Friday at the age of 93.

    Recall that President Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity), Femi Adesina, had described Shagari’s death as the departure of a patriot, whose life of service and humility was widely acknowledged.

    But Mohammed in an interview with The Punch said that Shagari had gained respect by retiring and living a quiet lifestyle, unlike some in the current political class.

    The elder statesman said, “Quite a number of the people who would claim to be his friends were actually his enemies and they contributed tremendously to bringing down that government and in making it impossible for us to have a meaningful democratic dispensation years after his departure from office.”

    When asked his thoughts on Buhari’s tribute, he said, “It’s not sincere. If you’ve contributed so much in bringing down a government and bringing down a man who had nothing to gain, even though he had poor eyesight and was in poor health – he was in his late 60s then – you cannot say, from 1984 till now, you got along well. How did you get along well?

    “No matter what you say about the Shagari administration, he knew how to retire from public service quietly, with a tremendous amount of nobility and self-respect. You have to give him that.

    “In terms of retirement and living a quiet life and garnering more respect, Shagari is certainly one of Nigeria’s most outstanding leaders and I certainly believe the nation will continue to mourn him appropriately.”

    According to Mohammed, he was devastated by the news of Shagari’s demise.

    He added that Shagari believed in the goodness of human nature, even when human nature was not always good.

    “The first Shagari administration of 1979 wasn’t particularly spectacular. There are quite a number of people there who really disappointed us, both National Party of Nigeria and Shagari, the president. He endured a lot but he didn’t want to rock the boat, so he waited until after the election in 1983 when some the characters were simply asked to leave or reappointed.

    “But even then there were others who were reappointed and I have a feeling that was because of pressure from within the party by some people who were seen to be above the law. Some of us would have been happy to see many of those who did not serve the country well outright sacked even before the end of the four-year term.

    “Shagari had a very modest lifestyle. If you got to know him personally, he was very cool and had a tremendous sense of humour. He got on very well with quite a number of people. He was a very wonderful man. I really enjoyed discussing with him even though we had our political differences.”

     

  • Buhari mourns Kofi Annan

    President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the government and people of Ghana over the passing of former United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Kofi Annan, in the early hours of Saturday 18th August, 2018.

    President Buhari, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, had called President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana from London.

    He told the Ghanaian President that all Nigerians and ECOWAS member countries share in the deep loss, considering the strategic influence of the former scribe in global affairs and his vision for the repositioning of the West Coast and Africa.

    As the first elected staff of the United Nations to lead the world organisation and first African to win the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize jointly with the United Nations, the President noted that Annan’s humility, nobility and love for humanity set him apart for global greatness, achieving recognition and commendation for the reform of the United Nations’ bureaucracy and multiple interventions to bring peace to the world.

    He said Annan’s origin and home will always be traced to Ghana, but his exceptional leadership roles, humanitarian spirit and contributions to global peace and development will remain indelible in the history of the entire world, especially the efforts to combat HIV/AIDS in Africa and launch of the UN Global Compact.

    The President also sent condolences to the wife of the diplomat, Nane Maria Annan and his family members, staff of the United Nations and the global organisations he was heading, like The Elders, which was founded by Nelson Mandela.

    Buhari prayed that the Almighty God will comfort his family and all his loved ones.

     

  • Atiku mourns Katsina-Alu

    Atiku mourns Katsina-Alu

    Former Vice President of Nigeria Atiku Abubakar mourns the death of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, describing the news of his death as shocking and saddening.

    Atiku Abubakar notes that the late Justice Katsina-Alu was a remarkable patriot who served the country well both as a soldier and, later on, as member of the bench where he rose to the pinnacle of his career.

    “No doubt Nigeria has lost a remarkable patriot in Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu. My condolences go to the Katsina-Alu family, the people and government of Benue State and the Supreme Court of Nigeria over the demise”, Atiku said.

    He prays to God for repose of the soul of the late jurist and for his family to have the fortitude to bear the loss.

  • APC mourns Justice Katsina-Alu

    APC mourns Justice Katsina-Alu

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the death of Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, a former Chief Justice (CJN) of Nigeria, as sad and an irreparable loss.

    The party, in a statement issued by Malam Bolaji Abudullahi, its National Publicity Secretary on Wednesday in Abuja, said the late Katsina-Alu was a great statesman, legal luminary and a patriot.

    It commiserated with his immediate family, the people and Government of Benue and Nigerians, over his death.

    The statement recalled that Katsina-Alu who served as Chief Justice of Nigeria from Dec. 30, 2009, to Aug. 28, 2011, was an impartial and thorough judge.

    “As a jurist, his contributions to the development of the Nigerian legal system cannot be quantified. We have indeed lost a good man who was non-partisan, honest and frank.

    “He delivered numerous landmark judgements, wrote many legal papers and mentored several young lawyers,” the statement said.

    It noted that as a statesman, the late Katsina-Alu often put national interest above self and other considerations.

    The statement further added that the deceased would be sorely missed, especially now that the country needed his wise counsel and stabilising voice, and prayed for his soul to rest in peace.

    The former CJN, who was 76, was a native of Benue and succeeded Justice Idris Kutigi as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in December 2009, through August 2011.

  • Buhari mourns, pledges support as death toll in Katsina flood rises to 44

    President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, expressed his sadness and concern about the devastation caused by floods in his home state, Katsina, and other parts of the country.

    In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, the President pledged the Federal Government’s support for the victims of the disaster.

    Buhari said he had been saddened to observe the devastation and loss of lives caused by the floods in Katsina State and other parts of the federation.

    He said he had accordingly directed the National Emergency Management Agency to do everything that would bring succour to the victims wherever they were.

    “As rescue and prevention efforts continue, let me express the sincere condolences of my family, the government and people of Nigeria to all the victims of the destruction by the floods.

    “Let me assure you that we stand ready to provide, within available resources, every assistance that is needed to bring comfort to those in distress,” the President said.

    Governor Aminu Masari on Monday evening confirmed that 44 lives were lost while 20 people were missing in the overnight rainstorm that ravaged Katsina State border town of Jibia.

    The rainstorm reportedly started about 11 pm on Sunday and it lasted over two hours.

    The governor, who made the disclosure at a press conference in Katsina, said he had never seen such a disaster in his life.

    He said, “You need to go there, it was a real disaster. As of the time we left Jibia, no less than 44 people were confirmed dead while over 500 houses were completely damaged.

    “I have informed the President about the incident and he has called to sympathise with the people.

    “As a government, we shall find permanent solutions to the problem.

    “We know Jibia is a flood-prone area and we build drainage. But what happened was that instead of water to flow to the river through the drainage, water from the river was flowing back into the drainage, thereby causing the flooding during the rainstorm.

    “We are going to redirect the water flow and I have passed out necessary instructions.

    “We have also taken measures to ameliorate the sufferings of the victims.

    “The National Emergency Management Agency has also been duly informed and they are sending relief materials to the victims.”

    The Executive Secretary, Katsina State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Aminu Waziri, had earlier said, “What we are doing presently is to find temporary accommodation for those whose houses have been washed away or damaged. We must provide them where they can put their heads for heaven may open up again.”

    “Sympathisers from our neighbouring country, Niger, helped us fished out two bodies from their river.”

    Sources said that the rainstorm also damaged farms, while over 260 livestock including cattle, sheep and goats were killed.

    The sources said areas that were badly affected included Tundun Takari, Dan Tudu, Unguwar kwakwa and Unguwar Mai Kwari.

  • Buhari mourns Umar Jibril

    President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the family of the Deputy Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Umar Jibril who passed on early Friday.

    The President’s condolence message is contained in a statement issued by Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, in Abuja on Friday.

    President Buhari also sympathised with the leadership and members of the House of Representatives in particular and the National Assembly in general, over the sad demise of “the humble and vibrant national legislator.’’

    He extended heartfelt condolences to the people of Kogi whom “the late lawmaker represented creditably for many years at both the state and national legislatures.’’

    The President prayed that Allah would comfort all who mourned him and grant his soul eternal rest.

    Late Jibril, (APC/Lokoja/Kogi) who died at the age 58 in Abuja, has since been buried in Lokoja, today.

    Jibril, a three-term member of the House of Representatives, was buried amidst tears from families, friends and colleagues that thronged Lokoja for the burial.

    The burial was attended by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Yakubu Dogara, Kogi Deputy Governor, Mr Simon Achuba, Kogi House of Assembly Speaker, Mr Matthew Kolawole, members of the house, among others.