The Special Adviser on Research, Documentation and Strategy to President Goodluck Jonathan, Oronto Douglas, is dead.He died on Thursday morning after a long battle with a cancer-related ailment at the State House Clinic, Abuja at the age of 49.
President Jonathan’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, confirmed his death in a statement on Thursday.
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 impactful years on earth.
He recalled that the deceased was his personal aide for close to a decade.
Later the President and his deputy, Namadi Sambo led some of his aides on a condolence visit to Douglas’ Asokoro residence. Speaking at the deceased’s home, President Jonathan said the deceased was aware he would die.
He said medical doctors had earlier told him in the United States that he had three weeks to live.
The President 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, who he 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 a former Bayelsa State governor, Dipreye Alamieyesigha; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali; and the Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria, Ima Niboro.
Also, the Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, on Thursday said he was devastated by the news of Douglas’ death.
A press release issued by his Press Secretary, Mr. Felix Ofou, said the governor described the death as “very shocking and a devastating personal loss” to him.
“I can’t believe that Oronto – that’s what we all call him, is gone. I refuse to use the word dead. I’m very disturbed that such a brilliant mind, articulate strategist and friend has been struck down.
“It is even more painful that this has happened when the nation would have benefited from his vast knowledge and depth of wisdom,” Ofou quoted the governor to have said.
Also, the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide has expressed shock at Douglas’ demise.
In a statement by IYC spokesman, Eric Omare, the group said Oronto’s death was shocking and a big blow to the Ijaw nation, the Niger Delta and Nigeria in general.
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