As Nigeria buries its late President, Umaru Yar’Adua, Thursday at 2pm local time in his home state of northern Katsina, Nigerians were observing the day as a work-free to enable them pay tribute to their late President.
The 58-year-old Yar’Adua, who has been suffering from acute pericardities or an inflammation of the heart’s membrane, died about 9pm local time at the presidential villa in the capital city of Abuja Wednesday, according to Mr. Ima Niboro, spokesman for Acting President Goodluck Jonathan.
The Spokesman said the government had also declared Thursday work-free ‘to ena ble Nigerians mourn the death of the President. Also, a seven-day national mourning has been declared during which all flags will fly at half mast.’
Yar’Adua, who became President 29 May 2007, had been ill for some time, and had not been seen in public since 23 Nov. 2009, when he left for medical treatment in Saudi Arabia.
Following the President’s long absence, Vice President Goodluck Jonathan was named by the National Assembly (parliament) as Acting President on 9 Feb. 2010.
Though the President returned to Nigeria 24 Feb., he was not seen in public and was apparently never well enough to assume his presidential functions.
Meanwhile, the Acting Presidential has received the news of the passage of President ”with great shock and sadness,’ according to his spokesman.
‘Nigeria has lost the jewel on its crown, and even the heavens mourn with our nation tonight,’ Jonathan said, describing 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.
Dr. Jonathan offered heartfelt condolences to President Yar’adua’s widow, Ha jiya Turai Yar’adua, the entire Yar’adua family, the people of Katsina State, and Nigerians both at home and the world over.
As a mark of respect for our departed leader, the Acting President has cancelled all official engagements. He has also declared a national mourning for seven days. During this period, the Nigerian flag will fly at half mast.