The Presidency on Thursday said President Muhammadu Buhari called the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, on the telephone to commiserate with him over the death of his mother, Alhaja Saratu.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja.
Shehu said Buhari expressed sympathy with the governor, describing his mother "as a great woman who was a pillar of discipline to her children.''
He further quoted the President as saying that the matriarch of the Aregbesola family deserved great honour for "the sacrifices she made to bring up her children on the path of sound moral character and commitment to good reputation.''
Buhari said the governor's mother contributed immeasurably to the building of a respectable pedigree for her family by raising disciplined and humble children like the governor.
He prayed that Allah would bless her soul, reward all her good deeds with paradise and comfort the family she left behind.
Meanwhile, the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; and former Interim Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, were among dignitaries that attended the three-day fidau prayer organised for the deceased. The octogenarian mother of the governor died in Ilesa on Tuesday and was buried the same day according to Islamic injunction.
Aregbesola's son, Kabiru, who spoke on behalf of the family, said the family was still in shock over the death of Alhaja Saratu.
He said, "Mama left us suddenly. She was not sick at the time she left us. We are still in shock but God knows best."
Kabiru said the family was grateful to everybody for the love shown to the family following the death of its matriarch.
Other dignitaries present at the fidau were former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; Wale Babalakin; Gen. Alani Akinrinade (retd); and Alhaji Diekola Oyedele.
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