President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the family of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Minister of Finance, over the death of Obi Chukuka Okonjo, the family’s patriarch at 91.
The late Okonjo was a Professor of Mathematics, university administrator, international consultant and traditional ruler.
Buhari also commiserated with government and people of Delta State, the academia, the Umu Obi Obahai Royal Family of Ogwashi-Uku, friends and professional colleagues of the scholar who dedicated his life to teaching, research and service of humanity.
Buhari affirmed that the traditional ruler contributed immensely to Nigeria’s development with his uncommon wisdom of pursuing knowledge, encouraging his wife and children to follow the same path and sponsoring other people’s children to acquire quality education.
The president stated that the wise and fatherly counsels, intellectual depth and valuable insights of the scholar would be missed by the family and the nation, assuring that his place in Nigeria’s history would be guaranteed.
A statement by Buhari’s media aide, Femi Adesina, quoted the president as praying that the Almighty God would grant the soul of the elder statesman rest and comfort his family.