All the Council members, who had earlier converged at the Council Chambers of Government House for the meeting, were later informed by the Governor that the meeting had been cancelled.

However, before the cabinet members took their leave, a special valedictory prayer session, led by the Commissioners for Agriculture and Natural Resources and that of Commerce and cooperatives, Professor Mohammed Gana Yisa and Dr (Mrs) Felicia Ojeleye was held for the repose of the late President.

They also prayed God to grant the new President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, Dr Saraki and the entire people of Nigeria the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Earlier in his opening remarks, Dr Saraki had extolled the good virtues of Alhaji Yar’Adua and urged all public office holders to emulate his sterling qualities in the belief that all living souls must taste death no matter how long.

He described the late President as a man of honour, integrity and humility, who sacrificed his life and energy to foster the unity of the country.

According to him, the late Yar’Adua would be remembered for his peace initiative in the Niger Delta region, the rule of law, amnesty programme for the militants and electoral reforms, among others. 

Saraki enjoined Nigerians irrespective of religious affiliation to imbibe the simplistic life pattern of the late President, who he said, had no lust for material acquisition when he was alive.

He then prayed God to give his widow and the entire Yar’Adua family the courage to bear the loss.

The late President, it would be recalled, passed on last Wednesday night in Abuja.  

Mas’ud Adebimpe
Chief Press Secretary to the Kwara State Governor
12/05/10