Osinbajo mourns former minister's death

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has mourned the death of Nigerias former Minister for National Guidance Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule who died today, Monday, July 3, 2017.

The former minister died in Cairo, Egypt, 24 hours after he was rushed to a hospital according to his son Alhaji Mukhtar Maitama Sule.

ALSO READ: Former Minister dies in Egypt

Relaying his condolences through the government handle @NGRPresident, Osinbajo extended his "deep & heartfelt condolences" to the deceased's family.

The handle tweeted, "On behalf of Pres MBuhari, AsoRock and the people of Nigeria, AgP expresses heartfelt condolences on the death of Alhaji Maitama Sule."

In another tweet, it posted, "AgP extends deep & heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, associates, & Kano State Govt, praying that the Almighty God comforts all"

In a final tweet, the handle tweeted, "AgP ProfOsinbajo's prayer is that Allah will bless his memory, and grant the family and all Nigerians the fortitude to bear the loss."

In reaction to his death, the Kano state government has declared Tuesday, July 4, 2017, as a public holiday to mourn him.

ALSO READ: Kano govt declares public holiday for deceased former minister

The holiday was declared in a statement signed by the State Commissioner for Information, Mallam Mohammed Garba.

The statement read, "The death has occurred today (Monday) of Alhaji (Dr.) Yusuf Maitama Sule, Dan Masanin Kano.

"Dr. Yusuf Maitama Sule died at a hospital in Cairo, Egypt, where he was receiving treatment for an illness.

"Funeral prayer for the deceased will be conducted tomorrow (Tuesday) at the Emir’s Palace, Kofar Kudu, by 4:00pm.

"Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has declared tomorrow Tuesday a work – free day in the state to mourn the death of the elder statesman."

Maitama Sule, an acclaimed diplomat, was made Minister for National Guidance by President Shehu Shagari in 1983 in the president's bid to tackle corruption in government.