By Modupe Gbadeyanka
President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with Ghana over the loss of the country’s former President, Mr Jerry Rawlings, to the cold hands of death.
The revolutionist died on Thursday morning at the age of 73. He died at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana, where he was taken to last week for treatment.
The Nigerian President, in a statement signed by Mr Femi Adesina, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, sent his heartfelt condolences to government and people of Ghana, affirming that the entire African continent will sorely miss the sterling qualities of the great leader.
According to the statement, Mr Buhari believes the passion, discipline and moral strength that the former Ghanaian leader employed to reposition his country over many years continue to reverberate across the continent and beyond.
He noted with commendation the unique role the former President played in strengthening political institutions in his country and Africa, stimulating the economy for sustainable growth, and vociferously championing the African cause by urging many leaders to work towards interdependency on the global stage, especially in areas of competitive advantage.
“President Buhari joins family, friends and associates of the former Ghanaian leader in mourning his departure, assuring that the ideas that Rawlings postulated, particularly for development in Africa, and his sacrifices in working in various countries as an envoy for peace and democracy will always be remembered.
“The President prays that the almighty God will grant the Ghanaian leader eternal rest, and comfort all his loved ones,” Mr Adesina said.
Meanwhile, the former Senate President in Nigeria, Mr Bukola Saraki, has expressed shock over the death of the former military and civilian ruler of the West African country.
“I just got off the phone with HE President Nana Akufo-Addo of Ghana.
“On the call, I conveyed my deepest condolences over the passing of the former President of Ghana, HE Jerry Rawlings,” he said.
