Nigerian Prez Umaru Yar’ Adua Dies of Heart, Kidney Ailments
Nigerian President Umaru Yar’Adua has passed away following a long fight against heart and kidney problems, said media reports citing Nigerian TV.
Yar’ Adua, 58, died at his presidential residence in the capital Abuja and will be buried in his northern home town of Katsina at 1500 CET on Thursday, reports said.
He had assumed presidential office in 2007 vowing to follow free-market reforms, boost agriculture, and fight corruption.
He fell ill last November and went to a hospital in Saudi Arabia staying there several months for treatment. On his return, he was so ill to govern.
The president will probably be best remembered for brokering a truce in the restive Niger Delta, the heartland of Africa’s biggest oil and gas industry.
Since February his vice president, Goodluck Jonathan has assumed the presidency.
(Based on internet reports)
