Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua is dead

[malaise]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8665441.stm
<snip>
Nigeria's acting President Goodluck Jonathan has been sworn in as head of state following the death of President Umaru Yar'Adua after a long illness.

Mr Jonathan, in charge since February, will appoint a deputy and serve out the rest of the current presidential term until elections due next year.

Mr Yar'Adua died late on Wednesday in the capital Abuja.

Thousands have gathered for the funeral in his home town of Katsina. Nigeria has declared seven days mourning.

Mr Jonathan took the oath of office in front of government ministers and other officials in Abuja almost 12 hours after Mr Yar'Adua died. The ceremony was performed by Chief Justice Alloysius Katsina-Alu.

sp.

[malaise]

1. Obama tribute

US President Barack Obama led tributes from world leaders.

Mr Obama praised "President Yar'Adua's profound personal decency and integrity, his deep commitment to public service, and his passionate belief in the vast potential and bright future of Nigeria's 150 million people".

Mr Yar'Adua's election in 2007 marked the first transfer of power from one civilian president to another since Nigeria's independence in 1960.

The life of Nigerian President Yar'Adua

He came to power promising a long list of reforms, including tackling corruption and reforming the inadequate power sector and the flawed electoral system.

He made progress in banking reforms, but analysts say he made the most progress of his tenure in tackling unrest in the oil-rich Niger Delta, by offering an amnesty to rebels.


He sure looked older than 57 since his illness

[gmoney]

2. Yes, his widow e-mailed me this morning...

something about wanting my help to transfer $22,000,000 to her American bank account...

(too soon?)

[DefenseLawyer]

3. Too late!

I already snapped up that sweet business opportunity. You snooze, you lose.

[malaise]

4. Not funny

Way too soon

[superduperfarleft]

6. Heh, beat me to it. n/t

[elocs]

5. You mean he is still dead because he was dead yesterday too. n/t