The soft and compassionate side of Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, former Minister for Aviation, were in full display when he announced, on his X account, the sudden and painful passing of his Personal Assistant, Mr Ndifreke Saviour Mark.
His post dripped of palpable pains and helplessness. Not for nothing. This particular Special Assistant was family. He had been his loyal and trustee aide for over three decades. The former Minister had a lot of respect for Mark, so much so that in death, to keep Mark’s dignity, he found it difficult to let on that Mark checked into a hotel with a woman right after attending a Church Service on Sunday.
He was in the room with the woman when he slumped and died. Fani-Kayode kept referring to the woman as “an individual.”
However, the ill-fated woman and about three of the Hotel’s staff, including the owner, manager and receptionist are in Police custody while investigations go on.
Mr Mark was married and he and his wife had two children.
Fani-Kayode:
“He (Mr Mark) left home at 5.40am on the morning of Sunday 13th October for morning Mass as he was a devoted Catholic and member of the Catholic Church of Assumption, Asokoro after which he went to a hotel by the name of Mildy Lodge and Apartments in Garki, Abuja.
“According to the police he took a room at the hotel and spent some time there with an individual after which he apparently slumped and died in that individual’s presence.
“He was taken to Asokoro District Hospital, was pronounced dead upon arrival and has since been put in the hospital morgue.
“The individual he was with at the time of his death in the hotel is now in police custody and I have insisted on a full criminal investigation of the matter and an autopsy.
“The hotel receptionist has also been detained by the police whilst both the manager and the owner of the hotel were invited for questioning earlier this week.
“The entire hotel was also sealed up by the police for two days and the room in which he lodged remains sealed till today.
“I have broken the sad news to his family, I have met with his wife Barrister Patience Ndifreke-Mark and his Uncle, Mr. Clement Mathias, (who represented his family) and I have also told them of my intention to ensure that, if indeed there is any foul play, justice is done and those behind it are brought to book.
“We shared many dreams and aspirations and fought many battles together shoulder to shoulder. Now he has gone it has left much pain but I give thanks to God for his life and for the 52 years that he spent on earth.
“Ihave assured his wife and family of my intention to stand by them at this difficult time and to ensure that they do not lack or want for anything.
“I have absolute confidence in the FCT Police Command to get to the bottom of this matter after which we can proceed to bury a man that was my most loyal staff and most trusted aide.
“Most important of all is the fact that he was a kind, reliable and compassionate soul who brought joy to many and who was incapable of hurting a fly. I will never forget him and though he has passed he lives on in our hearts.
“I thank all those that have found the time to come and mourn with us at this difficult time. May Ndifreke’s precious soul rest in peace and may the Lord comfort his wife and two beautiful young children.”
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