Jonathan, Buhari, Atiku, Mark, Others Mourn Rotimi Obaigbena’s Passing

President Goodluck Jonathan led the pack of those who sent condolences to the family of Nduka Obaigbena over he death of his elder brother.

 The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Senate President David Mark, National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, have joined sympathisers at home and abroad to condole with the Obaigbena family over the untimely demise of Rotimi Azubuike Obaigbena.

Rotimi Obaigbena, 56, died of a sudden brain aneurism in his home in San Diego, California, on Sunday, March 1.
Leaving behind a wife, mother and five siblings, Rotimi was the immediate elder brother of the Chairman/Editor-in-Chief of THISDAY Newspapers and ARISE News, Nduka Obaigbena.

A statement yesterday by Alhaji Garba Shehu, spokesman of the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation, on behalf of Buhari, stated that the late Rotimi Obaigbena passed away when the country is looking up to the services of Nigerians in the Diaspora to develop the country.

“The demise of Rotimi Azubuike Obaigbena is an unpleasant development at this point when our country is looking up to the services of young Nigerians who have made remarkable landmarks in their fields of endeavour.

“In the past few days, I have met with a good number of Nigerians outside the country and I most sincerely commend their high sense of patriotism and zeal to contribute to the overall development of the country.

“I know that the demise of this gentleman is a huge loss to the community of Nigerians outside the country, but it is a bigger loss to Nigeria and the Obaigbena family and will be greatly missed,” he said.

Also, the Atiku Media Office, on behalf of its principal, commiserated with Nduka Obaigbena over the demise of his brother in the US on Sunday.

Atiku said that the death of Rotimi came as a rude shock, describing the deceased as “a very hardworking Nigerian who had made an indelible mark in his chosen profession”.

He also prayed for the family and friends of the deceased to have the fortitude to bear the loss.

In his condolence, Senator Mark sypathised with Nduka Obaigbena, his family and government of Delta State over the demise of Rotimi.
A statement by Mark’s press secretary, Paul Mumeh, expressed regret over the demise of Rotimi, whom the senate president described as an international citizen and an ambassador per excellence.

Mark noted the positive contributions of the late Rotimi as a prominent member of Nigerians in the Diaspora currently adding value to the nation's economy.

He said: “We are saddened by this unfortunate development. But we are consoled by the fact that the late Rotimi gave a good account of himself and promoted the good image of Nigeria abroad.”

He urged the Obaigbena family to take solace in the fact that “our late brother left a positive footprint in the sands of time”.
In his message, Mu’azu said: “The death of Mr. Rotimi Azubuike Obaigbena in San Diego, Califonia, has come to me and my family with shock and surprise.  I sympathise with my good friend, Nduka Obaigbena, for this great loss to his family.
“We will continue to pray to Almighty Allah to grant Rotimi eternal rest in Heaven. We also pray that Allah will grant the relatives of the deceased the fortitude to bear this big loss.”

On the same note, Ihedioha, through his spokesman, Oke Epia, condoled with the Chairman of THISDAY/ARISE and the entire Obaigbena family on the death of their beloved son and brother.

Ihedioha, who is the PDP governorship candidate in Imo State, mourned with the family and enjoined them to accept his heartfelt condolences on the death of “a brilliant professional and a fine family man who affected lives positively both at home and abroad”.
He enjoined the entire Obaigbena family to take solace in the fact that despite bowing out at an unripe age, the deceased left behind visible imprints and a legacy worthy of emulation.

“May Almighty God grant the bereaved family the fortitude to bear this great and irreparable loss,” the deputy speaker said.

Details of Jonathan's condolence message did not arrive before press time