President Goodluck Jonathan, yesterday, received a five-man delegation from Ghana, led by that country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration,? Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni. He brought a special message from President John Dramane Mahama on the burial arrangement of late President John Atta-Mills.
Mumuni told State House Correspondents that they were at the Presidential Villa at the behest of their President, to formally announce to President Goodluck Jonathan the untimely and the unfortunate demise of his brother and colleague, President Attah Mills, to announce arrangements for his burial as well as to deliver to him an invitation to attend the funeral.
He said, “The funeral has been slated for August 8,9 and 10 when the funeral rites will be carried out. It will climax on the 10th with the burial. Before then, the body will be laid in state on the 8 and the 9 for viewing by general public and distinguished guests to our country.
?“When President Mills was alive, he had good working relations and very good chemistry with President Jonathan. They consulted very closely on issues of national, regional, continental interest. We think it is a personal loss to President Jonathan as well and he has expressed grief and sentiments of condolence, sympathy and wishing his support and solidarity which we will dutifully convey to President Mahama.”
Earlier, Jonathan had said that he felt shock and sadness when he learnt of the death of late President Atta-Mills of Ghana, last week, said “I was shocked and saddened when I heard of the passing away of my brother, President John Atta-Mills”.
The president said Nigeria would be represented at the funeral at the highest level and added that an official delegation would be sent to convey the country’s condolence before the burial.
The President assured President Mahama of Nigeria’s continued support and cooperation, and stated that “Nigeria will continue to work with Ghana. We will continue to consult on bilateral, regional, continental and global issues.”
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