Tragedy hit the home of the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, in the early morning of today when his son, Hamza, died in a road crash in Abuja even as President Goodluck Jonathan sent his sympathy to the deceased father.
The former minister, who is a stalwart of the All Progressives Congress, announced this on his Facebook page. He asked Nigerians to help pray for the repose of the soul of Hamza.
El-Rufai wrote, “From Allah we came and to him we shall return. Please join our family in praying for the repose of the soul of my son, Hamza El-Rufai, who died this morning in a motor accident in Abuja.”
In a condolence message signed by his special adviser on media and publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, President Jonathan expressed the belief that the outpouring of support at this moment by his friends and associates would comfort El-Rufai.
He prayed for the repose of the deceased’s soul.
The statement read: “President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has received with a deep sense of grief and shock, news of the sudden and untimely death of Hamza El-Rufai, son of the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai.
“On behalf of himself, his family and the Federal Government, President Jonathan extends his heartfelt commiserations to Mallam el-Rufai and all members of the El-Rufai family.
“The President says although no amount of words can fill the deep gap created by the loss of Hamza, he hopes that the outpouring of support at this moment by friends and associates will comfort Mallam El-Rufai.
“President Jonathan prays for the peaceful repose of the soul of the departed and also for God’s blessing, comfort and protection for Mallam El-Rufai and the rest of his family.” [myad]
