President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his condolences to Nigerian Senate President Orji Kalu on the death of his wife, Ifeoma Kalu.
Mr. Kalu, who represents the Abia Northern District, announced the death of his wife in a statement on Monday.
Kalu died at the age of 61, the senator said.
Kalu, in the statement posted on her verified Facebook page, described the late Ifeoma as “a virtuous woman committed to the service of God and humanity.”
He said that a memorial service in honor of his late wife was scheduled in the United States of America.
“Please remember her and her loved ones in prayers in this difficult period,” the senator appealed.
“May her sweet soul rest in perfect peace. Amen,” she added.
Buhari’s condolences
Reacting to a statement on Monday from his spokesperson, Femi Adesina, Mr. Buhari, while sympathizing with Mr. Kalu for the loss, asked him and his family members to trust God for comfort and care in his “very difficult period of pain and deep sorrow”. reflection.”
“President Buhari believes that the testimonies of the late wife’s fear of God and charity should bring strength to the family, knowing that she lived well and served the will of the Almighty,” the statement read in part.
“The president prays for the rest of her soul and strength for the family to bear the loss,” he added.
Kalu, a former governor of Abia State, married Ifeoma, a doctor, in December 1989.
The couple have four children.
Ms. Kalu’s death comes about a month after her husband won re-election.
Kalu, a member of the Congress of all progressives (APC), polled 30,809 votes to defeat his closest rival, Labor’s Nnamdi Iroh, who polled 27,540.
Since winning the Senate seat, Mr. Kalu has been campaigning to become the next president of the Nigerian Senate and has asked President Buhari to persuade APC leaders to locate the seat in the south-east, from where he is from