President Good luck Jonathan has declared three days of
national mourning for former South African President, Dr. Nelson
Mandela, who died yesterday.
Flags
are to be flown at half-mast across Nigeria during the period and
President Jonathan urged all Nigerians to unite in solidarity with the
people of South Africa as they mourn the
“great liberator, freedom fighter and hero of the black race.”
A
statement issued by his media aide, Dr. Reuben Abati, said the
President also called for special prayers in mosques and churches in
Nigeria during the period of mourning which begins on Friday, for the
peaceful repose of Dr. Mandela’s soul.
A special inter-denominational memorial service for the anti-apartheid icon will be held at the State House Chapel on Sunday.
Also, the African Union Commission on Friday declared three-day mourning with special funeral service in honour the Madiba.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the special service will take place on Sunday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The
AUC’s Deputy Chairperson, Mr. Eratus Nwencha, made the announcement,
when he addressed a press conference on Mandela’s demise on Friday in
Addis Ababa.
The AUC deputy chairperson said the commission would
hold the service in collaboration with the Ethiopian government and the
South African Embassy in Ethiopia in honour of the Nobel Peace Prize
winner.
President Goodluck Jonathan in Paris, at the Summit On Peace and Security in Africa
President
Goodluck Jonathan on Friday