Jonathan mourns the Death of Ethiopian Prime Minister

PRESIDENT JONATHAN MOURNS THE DEATH OF ETHIOPIAN PRIME MINISTER, MELES ZENAWI
President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has received with shock and sadness, the news of the passing away of His Excellency, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, of Ethiopia.
     On behalf of himself, the Government and the people of Nigeria, President Jonathan extends his deepest sympathy and condolence to the people of Ethiopia, especially members of late Prime Minister Zenawi's family.
    President Jonathan describes Prime Minister Zenawi's death as a major loss for Africa. "He was a great African statesman, who is also a friend of Nigeria, a nation-builder and a great servant of the Ethiopian people."
    President Jonathan further notes that "Prime Minister Zenawi will be remembered for his vision and integrity," adding that
  "he held strong convictions about establishing a just and prosperous society for his people, a cause to which he devoted his considerable energies, and which deservedly earned him respect and honour among a grateful Ethiopian nation."
   President Jonathan acknowledges the late Prime Minister Zenawi's vision for a united and strong Africa, a cause he pursued with remarkable honesty and passion. Indeed, his role, along with other African leaders, as the fulcrum of the African renaissance project, has ensured for him a prominent place in the annals of African history.
   "The passing away of Prime Minister Zenawi at this time when Ethiopia and, indeed, all of Africa, stand to benefit from his wisdom and experience in building a stable and prosperous continent is a great loss that will be hard to remedy," he said.
    President Jonathan assures the people of Ethiopia that the Government and people of Nigeria share in their loss. He is hopeful that the government and the entire Ethiopian nation will be comforted by the enduring legacy of service that Prime Minister Zenawi left behind.
    He prays that God will grant his soul peaceful repose.

Reuben Abati
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
August 21, 2012