Jonathan, Mark commiserate with Ekweremadu over loss of brother •Jonathan visits Azazi’s family

Posted by admin Legislature, Senate Monday, December 24th, 2012

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has commiserated with the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, over the death of his elder brother, Prince Chukwuemeka Ekweremadu.

A statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, in Abuja, on Monday, said the president described the news of the death as “very shocking, sad and regrettable,” as the late Prince Ekweremadu still had “many years ahead of him to accomplish more goals in life.”

President Jonathan noted that it must have been quite a traumatic experience for the Deputy Senate President to lose a loving and worthy elder brother, while he urged the distinguished senator and the entire Ekweremadu family to take consolation in the knowledge that their late brother made an indelible mark in his services to Enugu State and his community.

Also, Senate President, David Mark, on Monday, described the death of Prince Ekweremadu as painful and shocking.

The deceased Ekweremadu was killed in a motor accident on Enugu-PortHarcourt Expressway last Friday.

Mark, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Kola Ologbondiyan, said the late Chukwuemeka died at a critical moment in the nation’s history.

“Chukwuemeka has left us at a time when his contributions to his community and the nation are most required. His departure is very painful and most shocking,” he said.

He urged his deputy, Senator Ike and other members of the Ekweremadu family to accept the death of Prince Chukwuemeka as “the will of God.

“As Christians, we must accept His unquestionable will because we shall meet again at resurrection.”

He prayed that God will grant the Ekweremadus the fortitude to bear the huge loss.

Meanwhile, PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan, on Monday, paid a condolence visit to the family of the late former National Security Adviser, General Andrew Azazi, at his Ikoyi, Lagos residence.

Azazi, Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State, their aides and two pilots were killed in an helicopter crash in Bayelsa State on December 15.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the president and his entourage were received by Azazi’s wife, hischildren, grand children and some other members of the family.

Addressing the family on behalf of the president, the Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadome, expressed the nation’s condolences and eulogised the departed general as a patriot and diligent officer.

“Azazi was, indeed, a great man, a diligent officer and patriot.

“The president has already organised a special Federal Executive Council (FEC) session in his honour and the council members had the opportunity to speak glowingly about him.

“They all had good words about him because he gave his best to the country.

“He rose by merit to become a 4-star general, and because the president had confidence in him, he was made the NSA.

“He was a good community man. He chaired the flood committee of his home state, the most affected state.

“He has played his role in his family, community and country, even internationally.

“We should take solace in the fact that he lived a good life. He has laid a good foundation for the family,” he said.

Speaking further, Oghiadome said: “Painful as it may be, this is not a moment of continued grief.

“God will grant him eternal rest and fill the vacuum he left.

“The president asked me to express his deepest sympathy to your family.”

NAN reported that the Chaplain of Aso Villa Chapel, Reverend Obioma Onwuzurumba, prayed for the repose of Azazi’s soul, and respite for his family.

-Tribunewp_posts