Oronto knows he would die, says President Jonathan who visited family with Sambo , others

President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday said his Special Adviser 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, Dipreye Alamieyesigha‎; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali; and the Managing Director News Agency of Nigeria, Ima Niboro, 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.
Douglas died in the early hours of the day at the State House Clinic, Abuja during a protracted battle with cancer.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President described the deceased as a worthy and shinning example for Nigerian youths.
He said he would always remember Douglas for his passion for work and outstanding commitment to duties.
The President extended his condolences to the Douglas family and the government and people of Bayelsa State on the death of his aide who he described as one of their most distinguished sons who served his country, state and the Niger Delta region, passionately and diligently, during his very impactful years on earth.
He recalled that the deceased was his personal aide for close to a decade.
The statement read, “The President will always remember him for his passion for work, excellence, inspiring creativity and outstanding commitment to his duties.
“The President remains thankful to God Almighty for the brilliance and resourcefulness that Oronto brought to bear on every assignment as a loyal and dutiful aide during his tenure as Governor of Bayelsa State and as Vice President, Acting President and President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“President Jonathan believes that Oronto will remain a shining and worthy example for every young Nigerian who seeks a life of service and achievement.
“He prays that Almighty God will grant Oronto’s soul eternal rest, and the Douglas family and everyone who knew him, the fortitude to bear the pain of his death.
“Formal funeral arrangements will be announced by the Douglas family.”

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