Jonathan’s brother dies on President’s 55th birthday

President Goodluck Jonathan has announced the death on Tuesday of his younger brother, Chief Meni Jonathan.

The death coincided with the President’s 55th birthday.

Meni passed away at the National Hospital, Abuja, after a brief illness.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati, in Abuja said formal burial arrangements would be announced by the family.

Meanwhile, the Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed has described as shocking the death of the President’s younger brother.

In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, Ahmed noted that Meni’s death was “more painful due to the fact that he was a very young Nigerian whose energy and vigour were much needed for the process of nation building and the fact that it happened on a day President Jonathan was marking his birthday and nation just recovering from the death of three eminent Nigerians”.

Ahmed expressed the sympathy of the government and people of Kwara State with the President “in this very challenging hour”, praying God to grant “Mr. President and his family the fortitude to bear the loss”.