Jonathan mourns late Offodile, Ajayi

President Goodluck Jonathan has commiserated with the families of late Chief Chike Offodile (SAN), a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and Prof. Ade Ajayi, former Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos.

A statement issued on Monday in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, said that Jonathan received the news of their deaths with sadness.

Offodile died on 3 August aged 92, while Ajayi died at 85, at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo state, on Saturday, after a brief illness.

The statement said that the president also commiserated with the Obi and people of Onitsha, the home town of late Offodile.

According to the statement, the president also condoled with the friends and professional colleagues of the former minister, who also served his native community as the Onowu Iyasele of Onitsha.

“Jonathan joins them in giving thanks to God for Offodile’s long and fulfilled life during which he distinguished himself in the legal profession and service to his community and fatherland.

“The president believes that the nation will remain eternally grateful to the late Offodile for his commendable service as a member of the Federal Executive Council, and his significant contributions to the development of the legal profession in Nigeria.

“Jonathan prays that God Almighty will grant him peaceful rest from his lengthy labours on earth,” it said.

For Ajayi, the statement said, Jonathan urged the family, students and associates to take solace in the significant works he left behind.

He reaffirmed the nation’s enduring gratitude to Ajayi’s notable contributions over many years to the development of education and educational institutions in Nigeria.

This, the president noted, he did as a lecturer, professor, dean, deputy vice chancellor and vice chancellor at federal universities.

Jonathan assured Ajayi’s family, relatives, friends and colleagues of Federal Government’s solidarity and sympathy as they mourn the eminent historian and 1993 winner of the Distinguished African Award.