Nigerian president empathises with family of late statesman

President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the Allison Ayida family, the government and people of Delta State on the passing of the former secretary to the government, their patriarch and elder statesman.

A statement by Femi Adesina, the special advisor on Media and Publicity to the president on Friday, 9 November 2018, said that Buhari urged younger Nigerians and public servants to emulate Ayida’s uncommon patriotism.

As the body of the former federal permanent secretary, political economist and board-room guru were interred; President Buhari recalled his decades of public service to his fatherland.

“Nigeria will surely miss his wide experience in public and private services. We need people like him and his colleagues, the celebrated super permanent secretaries, who exhibited a remarkable commitment to the progress and unity of the country,” Buhari said.

President Buhari added that he prayed that the Almighty God would comfort the family, close associates and admirers of the fifth secretary to the government for the Federation, and grant the soul of the octogenarian eternal rest.

– APA