Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua passes on.

The 13th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Umaru Yar'Adua, lost his battle with ill health on the 4th of May. Aged, 58, he died at the presidential villa only weeks after returning to the country after a long absence spent seeking treatment at a hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia . Mr Yar'Adua was interred in a Muslim ceremony on Thursday in his home state of Katsina, in the north of the country.

Thursday was declared a public holiday and the start of seven days of mourning by the now President, Mr Jonathan Goodluck. Mr Goodluck was declared acting President for the latter part of Mr Yar'Adua's absence, amidst a constitutional crisis that was played out in the world media.

The BBC reports - 'US President Barack Obama led tributes from world leaders. Mr Obama praised "President Yar'Adua's profound personal decency and integrity, his deep commitment to public service, and his passionate belief in the vast potential and bright future of Nigeria's 150 million people".' http://news.bbc.co.uk


Nigeria, the most populous country in Africa, celebrates 50 years of independence from British colonial rule on October 1st of this year.