Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, and former Vice President, Abubarkar Atiku, have commiserated with the British Royal Family and the Government and people of Great Britain over the death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, describing him as an epitome of duty.
The former President, in a condolence message on Saturday, signed on his behalf by Media Adviser Ikechukwu Eze recalled his meeting with the Duke of Edinburgh during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth, Australia, in 2011, stressing that he was “most gentlemanly.”
The former President also stated that the late royal lived a life of service and was deeply committed to many charitable causes and youth development.
He said further: “His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, was an epitome of duty. Duty to God, his family, his nation and the commonwealth.
“His death, at the age of 99, is a sad occasion for the commonwealth; that veritable institution to which both he and Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, gave the most valuable service.
“I met the Duke of Edinburgh during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth, Australia, in 2011, and I found him to be most gentlemanly.
“His lifelong service to humanity included his many charitable causes, and his commitment to youth development.
“On behalf of my family and the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, I commiserate with the British Royal Family, and especially Her Majesty the Queen. We also share in their grief and extend our right hand of fellowship to the government and people of Great Britain at this trying time.”
In his own reaction, Atiku, in a condolence message personally signed by him said that
“The death of His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, is a sad loss to the commonwealth and the world. This was a man whose life was one of service and a pattern of good works.
“I met His Royal Highness during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting of 2003, which held in Abuja, and was hosted by my boss, then President Olusegun Obasanjo.
“I found in Prince Philip a man committed to the unity of the world and the advancement of the dignity of humanity and the brotherhood of man.
“His military service, and the dutifully supportive role he played by the side of Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, will forever be remembered, and indeed studied, as an epitome of royalty and loyalty.
“His charitable works, which saw him as the patron of some 800 causes and organisations, will also be warmly remembered.
“On behalf of my family and my supporters, I condole with the British Royal Family and pray that the Almighty will grant them the fortitude to bear their loss.”
The Queen’s husband, Prince Philip, died on April 9, at the age of 99 years.
