SIERRA LEONE MOURNS WITH NIGERIA
Sierra Leone High Commissioner to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Central African Countries, H.E Henry O. Macauley has joined the more than One Hundred and Fifty Million Nigerians at home and abroad in mourning the death of Nigeria’s President Umar Musa Yar Adua. Sierra Leonean flags at the Abuja Chancery and Liaison office in Lagos are flying at half mast in compliance with the declaration of a seven days national mourning by the Government.
H.E Henry O. Macauley not only joined other diplomats of the world in signing the book of condolence Friday May 7th at the Banquet Hall of Aso Villa at Abuja, but also attended the funeral service (Janazah Prayer) at the Katsina Stadium in his( Yar Adua’s) northern home state of Katsina.
Signing the book of Condolence, H.E. Henry O. Macauley described the late President as a Friend of Sierra Leone and Africa: a gentleman, and amazing leader, who shall surely be missed. “May His gentle Soul Rest in Perfect Peace”.
On Thursday May 6th H.E Henry O. Macauley flew to Katsina on board a special flight in the company of Federal Capital Territory Minister Senator Bala Mohammed, Former Senate President Dr. Ayim Pius Ayim, Former Aviation Minister Mr. Omotoba, Former Industry Minister Dr. Achike Udenwa, Former Deputy Senate President Hon. Ibrahim Nasiru Mantu and a host of other serving Cabinet Ministers, former Government officials etc.
They were received on arrival at Katsina Airport by His Excellency the Governor of Katsina State Alhaji Ibrahim Shema Deputy Governor and drove in a convoy to the Family House of the late President.
They sympathized with the bereaved family and offered prayers of consolation to affectionate ones.
The delegation then proceeded to the Emir of Katsina His Royal Highness Dr. Mohammed Kabir Usman, where they joined the sultan of Sokoto His Royal Highness Dr. Saad Abubakar and not only sympathised with him but also offered another prayer which lasted for ten minutes, before proceeding to the Katsina National Stadium for the Janazah Prayer.
At the Katsina National stadium, High Commissioner Henry Macauley in the midst of former President Ibrahim Babangida, former President Buhari, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu, Secretary to Government of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed, Speaker of the House Dimeji Bankole and twenty three (23) State Governors of Rivers , Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, Anambra , Akwa Ibom , Jigawa, Kaduna and Kogi States: others include tycoon businessman Aliko Dangote, legislatures and some members of the Ruling Party offered the Janazah Prayer and the subsequent burial before departing back to Abuja.
Born in Northern Katsina in August 1951, Umar Musa Yar'Adua the 13th Head of State won the 21 April 2007 polls, and sworn in on 29 May 2007.
Prior to that, the late president Musa Yar'Adua got his first employment at Holy Child College in Lagos (1975–1976). He later served as a lecturer at the College of Arts, Science, and Technology in Zaria, Kaduna State, between 1976 and 1979. In 1979 he began working as a lecturer at College of Art Science, remaining in this position until 1983, when he began working in the corporate sector.
The late president Yar'Adua was elected state governor of Katsina, north of Nigeria, in 1999 and re-elected in 2003.
President Yar'Adua left Nigeria on 23 November 2009, and was reported to be receiving treatment for pericarditis at a clinic in Saudi Arabia. He returned to Abuja on 24 February 2010.
However a new President was sworn in on Thursday May 7, 2010 in the Person of Dr. Good luck Ebele Jonathan.
Pasco Gerald H. Temple
Information Attaché
Sierra Leone High Commission
Abuja, Nigeria
