Atta Mills great patriot, true African leader –Fashola, Saraki

LAGOS — Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos
State, and the immediate past Governor of Kwara
State, Senator Bukola Saraki, have described the
late President of Ghana, Prof. John Atta Mills, as a
great patriot, and a true African leader.
In their separate
statements, Fashola
and Saraki noted that
the late Atta Mills
succeeded, during his
reign, to make Ghana
a reference point not
only in the West
African sub-region but
on the African
continent.
Fashola said: "He built
on the achievements
of his predecessors
with his wise and pragmatic approach to
governance and succeeded in making Ghana a
reference point in West Africa and, indeed, the
continent. Without doubt, this generation will
continue to draw inspiration from his life and times
and celebrate his exemplary life of service to the
Ghanaian nation and Africa."
Extending the goodwill of the government and
people of Lagos State to the new President, the
governor said: "As you assume the high office of
President of your country to fill the vacuum created
by the demise of President Mills, our thoughts and
prayers will be with you as you lead your country in
mourning the loss of a patriot and in building on
the legacies of your late President".
In his statement, Senator Saraki, representing
Kwara Central in the National Assembly, in a
statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr
Bamikole Omishore, said the late Ghanaian
president "will forever remain in the memory of his
people and all those who knew him closely as a
true patriot of his native land, having devoted his
life to the struggle and good governance in Ghana."
According to the statement, "he was loved by
Nigerians with his invaluable contribution to the
smooth bilateral relationship between both
countries. His death is a huge loss to Africa and its
allies. I express my deepest sympathy and
profound condolences to the entire nation of
Ghana, most especially his relatives and close
associates
"I also use this opportunity to wish President John
Dramani Mahama, the new president, all the best
as he takes up the enormous task of leading Ghana
and we look forward to continue to strengthen the
relationship between Nigeria and Ghana."