Former Minister of Defence, General Godwin Abbe (rtd), on Thursday described the late President Umaru Yar’Adua “as a patriotic Nigerian.”

In an interview in London, Abbe said the late Yar’Adua would be missed by all. Also, Dr. Nasiru Idowu, a Petroleum Engineer, said he was shocked when he received the news of the death of the President.

He said he was shocked because the news came few days after it was said that the late Yar’Adua was recovering from his ailment.

“As a Muslim, I can only pray Allah to forgive him his sins and reward him with Al-janah firdaus,” he said.

Another Nigerian resident in London, Mr.  Dare Lasisi, described Yar’Adua as “a good man” and  prayed for the repose of his soul.

Also, Nigerians living in the U.S. have expressed shock over the death of President Umaru Yar’Adua.

Mr. Ezekiel Macham, the President of the Zumunta Association USA, a socio-cultural organisation, said he received the news with sadness and sorrow.

“This is indeed, a great loss for the country and our region in particular. He was a man of peace; he worked tirelessly to bring peace to the Niger Delta region.

“For the first time militants reasoned with his administration and laid down their weapons. In spite of the fact that he had medical problems, he did not give up, he was resilient in his pursuit of Justice,” he said.

“The Zumunta family joins the rest of the Nigerian community abroad in mourning this great man,” he told the North America correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria by telephone.

Macham prayed God to grant favour to the family, and the fortitude to bear the lost.

He said Nigerians were confident that President Goodluck Jonathan would complete the good work and the foundation Yar’Adua laid.

Mr. Ichie Chibuzo Onwuchekwe, the President of the World Igbo Congress in U.S, said: “I heard the news of the president’s death a while ago, the Igbo Congress is still consulting and we will soon come out with our statement.

“But for me, I think he tried his best to serve his country, in spite of his ill-health and I pray God to grant his soul eternal rest,” he said.

On his part, Mr. Adeola Odusanya, the immediate past President of the Egbe Omo Yoruba, the National Association of Yoruba Descendants in North America, expressed his sympathy and described the death as a huge loss.