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Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar’adua is dead. He passed away on Wednesday night in the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja.
His remains will be flown to his hometown, Katsina, Katsina State in the North-Western part of Nigeria early this morning for burial at 2pm.
The 58-year-old Yar’Adua had been battling acute pericaditis, an inflammation of the membrane around the heart, since November last year for which he received treatment at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Presidential Spokesman Olusegun Adeniyi said Yar’Adua died around 9 pm and would be buried today in Katsina.
Adeniyi said Yar'Adua's wife Turai was at his side when he died but did not say the cause of his death.
The revelation by the Presidency in late November last year that his ailment was pericaditis had introduced a new dimension to what was usually known to be the late President's medical condition which was a chronic kidney condition for at least 10 years.
The Chief Physician to the President, Dr. Salisu Banye, had said in a statement released by Presidential Spokesman Olusegun Adeniyi that the President was diagnosed of having "acute pericarditis".
He had said: "At about 3pm on Friday, November 20, after he returned from the Abuja Central Mosque where he performed the Juma'at prayers, President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua complained of left sided severe chest pain. Preliminary medical examinations suggested Acute Pericarditis (an inflammatory condition of the coverings of the heart).
"It was then decided that he should undertake confirmatory checks at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia where he had had his last medical check-up in August.”
His hospitalisation in Saudi Arabia had created political problem in the country because Yar’Adua did not transfer power to his deputy, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, as stipulated by the constitution before he left.
The Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in a statement by his SSA Media and Publicity, Mr. Ima Niboro said he received news of the passage of President Yar’adua with great shock and sadness.
According to him, “Nigeria has lost the jewel on its crown, and even the heavens mourn with our nation tonight.”
Dr. 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”.
Dr. Jonathan offered heartfelt condolences to President Yar’adua’s widow, Hajiya 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 the 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.
The remains of the President would be laid to rest in Katsina on Thursday, 6th May, 2010, at 2pm. Nigerians are to observe the day as a work free day.
Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar’adua is dead. He passed away on Wednesday night in the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja.
His remains will be flown to his hometown, Katsina, Katsina State in the North-Western part of Nigeria early this morning for burial at 2pm.
The 58-year-old Yar’Adua had been battling acute pericaditis, an inflammation of the membrane around the heart, since November last year for which he received treatment at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Presidential Spokesman Olusegun Adeniyi said Yar’Adua died around 9 pm and would be buried today in Katsina.
Adeniyi said Yar'Adua's wife Turai was at his side when he died but did not say the cause of his death.
The revelation by the Presidency in late November last year that his ailment was pericaditis had introduced a new dimension to what was usually known to be the late President's medical condition which was a chronic kidney condition for at least 10 years.
The Chief Physician to the President, Dr. Salisu Banye, had said in a statement released by Presidential Spokesman Olusegun Adeniyi that the President was diagnosed of having "acute pericarditis".
He had said: "At about 3pm on Friday, November 20, after he returned from the Abuja Central Mosque where he performed the Juma'at prayers, President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua complained of left sided severe chest pain. Preliminary medical examinations suggested Acute Pericarditis (an inflammatory condition of the coverings of the heart).
"It was then decided that he should undertake confirmatory checks at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia where he had had his last medical check-up in August.”
His hospitalisation in Saudi Arabia had created political problem in the country because Yar’Adua did not transfer power to his deputy, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, as stipulated by the constitution before he left.
The Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in a statement by his SSA Media and Publicity, Mr. Ima Niboro said he received news of the passage of President Yar’adua with great shock and sadness.
According to him, “Nigeria has lost the jewel on its crown, and even the heavens mourn with our nation tonight.”
Dr. 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”.
Dr. Jonathan offered heartfelt condolences to President Yar’adua’s widow, Hajiya 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 the 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.
The remains of the President would be laid to rest in Katsina on Thursday, 6th May, 2010, at 2pm. Nigerians are to observe the day as a work free day.
