STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT JONATHAN MOURNS
CHIKE OFFODILE, ADE AJAYI
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has received with sadness,
news of the passing away of Chief Chike Offodile (SAN), former Attorney-General
of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
On behalf of himself and the Federal Government, President Jonathan extends sincere commiserations to Chief Offodile's family, the Obi and people of Onitsha as well as friends and professional colleagues of the former Minister who also served his native community as the Onowu Iyasele of Onitsha.
The President joins
them in giving thanks to God Almighty for Chief Offodile's long and fulfilled
life in the course of which he distinguished himself in the legal profession
and service to his community and fatherland.
The nation, President
Jonathan believes, will remain eternally grateful for the late Chief Offodile’s
commendable service as a member of the Federal Executive Council, and his
significant contributions to the development of the legal profession in
Nigeria.
The President prays that God Almighty will grant Chief
Offodile peaceful rest from his lengthy labours on earth.
President Jonathan
similarly commiserates with the family of Prof. Jacob Festus Adeniyi Ajayi, the
renowned historian and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos who
passed away yesterday.
The President urges
them and Prof. Ade Ajayi's many students, friends, associates in academics and
colleagues in the field of Nigerian and African history to take solace in the
knowledge that in passing on, he leaves behind a body of significant works that
will stand to his eternal credit and assure him of a lasting place of honour
among Africa's greatest historians.
President Jonathan
reaffirms the nation's enduring gratitude for Prof. Ajayi's notable
contributions over many years to the development of education and educational
institutions in Nigeria as a lecturer, Professor, Dean, Deputy Vice Chancellor
and Vice Chancellor at Federal universities.
The President assures
Prof. Ajayi's family, relatives, friends and colleagues of the Federal
Government's full solidarity and sympathy as they mourn the very eminent
historian and 1993 winner of the Distinguished Africanist Award.
He also prays that
God Almighty will receive Prof. Ajayi's gentle soul and grant him eternal rest.
Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media & Publicity)
August 11, 2014
No comments:
Post a Comment