Umaru Yar’Adua, 1951-2010
Nigeria’s president, Umaru Yar’Adua died yesterday evening after a prolonged battle with a debilitating heart disease. Mr Yar’Adua, 58, died around 9pm surrounded by his wife, Turai, his mother and several members of his family.
The presidential spokesperson, Segun Adeniyi, confirmed that Mr Yar’Adua’s body is in the presidential villa in Abuja and will be buried at 2pm today in his home town of Katsina according to Islamic rites. The Acting President, Goodluck Jonathan, who had been expected to travel to Rivers State today, will be sworn in as substantive president at 8am today as mandated by the constitution.
Mr Jonathan has also declared Thursday a public holiday and said Nigerians should embark on a week of mourning for the departed president. He expressed great sadness after being informed of the news by Aliyu Gusau, the national security adviser.
He said: “Nigeria has lost the jewel on its crown, and even the heavens mourn with our nation tonight” Mr. Jonathan described the death of the president as sad, unfortunate and regrettable. “As individuals and as a nation we prayed for the recovery of Mr. President. But we take solace in the fact that the Almighty is the giver and taker of all life,” he said.
The dead of former president is a sad event,that will creat a space for us to cover because he lie down good example the present president should just follow his feet print.