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Oronto Douglas Knew He Would Die -Jonathan
President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said his Senior Special Assistant on Research, Documentation and Strategy, Mr. Oronto Douglas, who died in the early hours of the day was aware he would die. He said medical doctors had earlier told him in the United States that he had three weeks to live.
Jonathan disclosed this when he and Vice President Namadi Sambo led some presidential aides and government officials on a condolence visit to Douglas’ residence in Asokoro, Abuja. He said, “He (Douglas) was a very dedicated young man; very committed.
“I was here last Saturday: even though he knew (of his imminent death) because the doctors told him in America that he was going to die in three weeks but, he was still very passionate about his work. “I have never seen such a person with such a strong will. Oronto was a good man, he left us too early but God knows the best.
“I only pray that God should provide for the family and pray that his soul should rest in peace.” While saying that he and the deceased hail from the same local government in Bayelsa State, the President recalled that their paths crossed for the first time when he was doing his Ph.D research work and Douglas was an environmental activist. He said he was working on some aspects of the ecology of the Niger Delta when he met the deceased in the house of his Canadian supervisor identified simply as Prof. Powell.
“When I came into politics as a deputy governor, he was the commissioner for information then and we were very close. “He came with me as my adviser as vice president on research, documentation and strategy, a post he held until this morning,” the President added. Sambo on his part described Thursday as a sad day for the Jonathan administration. He said,
“This is a very sad day for us, we have lost a very good friend, a brother and a patriotic Nigerian. “He was a person of integrity, a patriot and we pray to Almighty God that his soul shall rest in perfect peace. “We pray that the family he left behind will have the fortitude to bear this great loss.
“Nigeria has lost a very good man, a person that has contributed positively to the development of this country.” Some of the early callers at Douglas’ house included former Bayelsa State governor, DipreyeAlamieyesigha ; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Ambassador GodknowsIgali; and the Managing Director News Agency of Nigeria, ImaNiboro, among others. 14:04:Oronto Douglas, a worthy example for youths -Jonathan President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday said he was deeply saddened by the death of his Special Adviser on Research, Documentation and Strategy, Mr. Oronto Douglas.
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