YAR'ADUA: SAMBO, 7 GOVS ATTEND 40TH DAY PRAYER

Vice President Namadi Sambo yesterday led Federal Government's delegation to the 40th day prayer for the late president Umaru Musa Yar'Adua. The special prayer was held at the family home of the Yar'Aduas in Katsina metropolis.

Vice President Sambo was accompanied by Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Bello Halliru, Governor of Ekiti, Segun Oni; Aliyu Wamako of Sokoto; Isah Yuguda of Bauchi State; FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed and his Solid Mineral counterpart, Musa Sada.

Other governors who joined host Governor, Ibrahim Shema, the family of the late Yar'Adua and hundreds of relatives and well wishers of the late president included Aliyu Babangida of Niger, his Kebbi and Kwara states' counterparts, Mohammed Usman Dakingari and Bukola Saraki.

Malam Nasirudeen Adamu commenced the special prayer by 12.30 pm barely five minutes after the arrival of the vice president.

Liman Abdulrasheed rounded off the prayer by 12.54 pm with supplications for all Nigerians and continued peace in the nation.

The widow of the late Yar' Adua and his children arrived their modest family home by 10. 30 am for the prayer which had virtually all members of the Yar'Adua family: Yusuf, Sule, Abdul and Hajia Mairo, among others in attendance.

Other dignitaries on the occasion included Second Republic governor of Kaduna State, Lawal Kaita; former national security adviser, Sarki Mukhtar; erstwhile agriculture and water resources minister, Dr. Abba Sayyadi; former FCT minister, Adamu Aliero, and the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umaru Farouk Umar.

Shortly after the prayer, the vice president proceeded to the inner chambers of the house to commiserate with the mother of the late president, Hajia Dada; the former first lady, Turai Yar'Adua, and other members of the family.

Meanwhile, rains almost marred the special prayer as showers began immediately the convoy of Alhaji Namadi Sambo left the Yar' Aduas' home

Hundreds of Katsina residents and other Nigerians from all walks of life defied the light showers as they moved in and out of the solemn occasion.

The rains, according to Malam Tukur Bello, a trader in the Yar'Adua Quarters, were showers of blessing which last barely 30 minutes.

Surprisingly, the early callers at the home also defied the rains in the morning to get to the Yar'Aduas' home in the state capital.

The prayer was held amid tight security as scores of soldiers, policemen and other security operatives were on guard at the home and all access roads to the quarters.