Nigeria Declares 3 days of Mourning for Mandela

President Goodluck Jonathan has declared three days of national mourning, beginning from Friday for former South African President, Dr Nelson Mandela, who passed away on Thursday.

Flags were to be flown at half-mast across Nigeria during the period, adding that the President urged all Nigerians to unite in solidarity with the brotherly people of South Africa as they mourn the great liberator, freedom fighter and hero of the black race.

“The President also calls for special prayers in mosques and churches in Nigeria during the period of mourning which begins today (Friday), for the peaceful repose of Mandela’s soul,” the statement stated.

It further stated that a special inter-denominational memorial service for Mandela would be held at the State House Chapel on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has described the late Nobel Peace Laureate as a man who raised the beacon of human struggle to lofty heights of nobility.

Addressing journalists in Abeokuta on Friday, the former president said Mandela’s life was an example of what people should all aspire for.

“In all situations, he lived nobly and died in nobility. Let us bear in mind that we all have the opportunity to act nobly in whatever position we find ourselves”.