First Lady Patience Jonathan wept in Kaduna on Monday when she paid a condolence visit to Mrs Amina Yakowa, wife of Gov. Patrick Yakowa, who died in a helicopter crash on Sunday.
“I am sorry I am crying because I am a woman; I know what she (Amina) is passing through. It's quite unfortunate that we lost a peaceful and supportive man, a man who was always filled with joy.
“My only advice to you my friend is that you should take heart, have faith in God because only God can comfort and protect you and your kids.’’
Jonathan prayed to God to grant Yakowa’s soul eternal rest.
Earlier, Vice President Namadi Sambo, who welcomed the guests, had described late Yakowa as “a solidifier’’.
“He was a true Nigerian and a friend to everyone. He solidified Kaduna and he sought to bring people together.''
Sambo expressed “deep and sincere appreciation’’ to all those who came to commiserate with Yakowa’s family and the state government over the governor’s death.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that governors Ramalan Yero of Kaduna, and Sule Lamido of Jigawa were present at the occasion.
Also present were wives of the governors of Gombe, Nasarawa and Katsina States, Niger, Benue, Zamfara, Kogi, Adamawa and Taraba.
It will be recalled that Gov. Patrick Yakowa and a former National Security Adviser, Gen.? Andrew Azazi died in the crash, which took place near Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa.
Others, who died in the crash are Dudas Tsoho, a top politician from Kaduna; Azazi’s orderly, the pilot and the co-pilot.
The victims were returning from Yenagoa after attending the funeral of the father of Mr Oronto Douglas, a presidential aide.