Posted by By Lucky Nwankwere, Abuja on
Grief-stricken President Olusegun Obasanjo Monday continued to mourn the death of his wife and first lady, Chief (Mrs.) Stella Obasanjo, lamenting, "God gave her to me and He has taken her. Glory be to His name".
Grief-stricken President Olusegun Obasanjo Monday continued to mourn the death of his wife and first lady, Chief (Mrs.) Stella Obasanjo, lamenting, "God gave her to me and He has taken her. Glory be to His name".
The president who has remained stoic in his sorrow told a 15-man Niger Republic delegation led by that country's president, Mahmoud Tandja that believers must learn to accept without question whatever God Almighty in His infinite mercy has allowed to happen.
Presidential spokesperson, Mrs. Remi Oyo disclosed this Monday when she briefed State House correspondents on the update of the first lady's death and arrangement for her burial
According to her, President Obasanjo also lamented the crash involving the Bellview flight which claimed 117 lives, saying the incident has robbed Nigeria some of its best talents who had been contributing meaningfully to the development of the country.
The president of Niger, Tandja said they were in the country to share with President Obasanjo and Nigerians in general their moment of sorrow because the people of both countries were one, she stated.
"We have come to share with you your moment of sorrow because we are one people," said Tandja who is also the current chairman of ECOWAS, while praying God to grant every Nigerian the courage to bear the huge losses.
President Obasanjo also received all former heads of state who came in a group to condole him on the death of his wife. Those who came are Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Ernest Shonekan and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar.
The spokesman of the former leaders, Gen. Gowon said they were in Aso Rock to commiserate with the president on the death of his wife as well as those who died in the ill fated flight
Oyo who said Buhari, who has never stepped feet in Aso Rock since President Obasanjo's second term in office was very gracious and cracked jokes with the president, adding that all Nigerians are united at this moment of our sorrow.
Responding, the president expressed gratitude to all Nigerians and foreigners for the outpouring of emotions and condolences and prayed to steer the country from the path of grief.
Also at the president's residence to condole him was a delegation from the United States of America led by the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ms. Frazer who conveyed to President Obasanjo the condolence of the government and people of the US.
The president also hosted former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, former Secretary of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, the Senate President and several governors who came calling to condole him.