Yar'dua's death: Nigeria's flag at half mast in New York

Nigeria’s green-white-green flag at the Nigeria House was lowered at half mast at exactly 8 p.m., New York time on Wednesday, as a mark of honour for late President Umaru Yar'Adua. Yar’Adua died at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday in Abuja. The North American Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the flag was lowered at half-mast on top of the 21-storey Nigeria House on 828 Second Avenue in midtown, Manhattan, New York. Prof. Joy Ogwu, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN; her deputy, Bukun-Olu Oneomola; Consul-General, Ibrahim

Jonathan

Auwalu; the Defence Adviser, Brig.-Gen. Garba Audu and some workers in the mission were present at the solemn event. Conveying her heartfelt condolences on the death of the president, Ogwu admonished the members of the Nigerian community and workers at the mission to join the family of Yar'Ádua and the country to mourn ``this great loss’’. While underscoring Yar’Adua’s effort in championing the affairs of the country, she praised the untiring and unwavering efforts of Acting President Goodluck Jonathan ``during this trying period’’.
She prayed the good Lord to continue to give the family of the late president the fortitude to bear the loss. NAN reports that a condolence register has been opened at the Nigerian mission and representatives of some UN-member states have been calling to sympathise with the nation.
NAN also reports that the Federal Government has declared Thursday a public holiday and a one-week mourning period to enable Nigerians mourn the late president.