At exactly 4:58am yesterday, Oronto Douglas, special adviser to
President Goodluck Jonathan on research, documentation and strategy,
died. Douglas passed on at the State House Clinic, Abuja, after a long battle with cancer.
Diagnosed since 2008, Mr Douglas has been battling the disease since, with ‘encouraging signs’ of improvement.
On March 18, he was said to have been told by his doctors that he had a few more days to spend.
“During a recent trip to US for his regular check-up, he was told by his doctors that he could not survive further medication,” a family source said.
President Goodluck Jonathan said he was deeply saddened by the news of Douglas’ death.
The deceased was the president’s personal aide for close to a decade.
A statement by Jonathan’s special adviser on media and publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, described the deceased as a worthy and shining example for Nigerian youths.
Jonathan said the late Douglas would be specifically remembered for his passion for work and outstanding commitment to duties.
The president extended his condolences to the Douglas family and the government and people of Bayelsa State on the death of his aide, who he described as one of their most distinguished sons, who served his country, state and the Niger Delta region passionately and diligently during his very impactful years on earth.
The statement read, “The President will always remember him for his passion for work, excellence, inspiring creativity and outstanding commitment to his duties.
“The President remains thankful to God Almighty for the brilliance and resourcefulness that Oronto brought to bear on every assignment as a loyal and dutiful aide during his tenure as Governor of Bayelsa State and as vice president, acting president and president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“President Jonathan believes that Oronto will remain a shining and worthy example for every young Nigerian who seeks a life of service and achievement.”
The president prayed that Almighty God grant his soul eternal rest, and his family and friends the fortitude to bear the pain of his death.
Formal funeral arrangements will be announced by the Douglas family.
At some stage, family members and friends said they thought he had survived the cancer until he suffered a relapse in 2011.
He had been visibly sick in the last one year, losing weight dramatically.
Douglas was said to be in high spirits till the moments leading to his death.
“You would not believe he was so sick if you listened to him on the phone; only if you saw him physically would you know his state. By Wednesday, he was still working,” the source added.
Unlike in 2011 when he went on the nationwide campaign tour of Jonathan, Douglas was not strong enough to participate in the 2015 campaign, and could no longer go to office.
Douglas, who would have clocked 49 on August 6, cut his teeth as a young lawyer and environmental rights activist.
He was the deputy director of the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, a group devoted to “protecting the environment”.
The Okoroba-born humanitarian had degrees in law from the University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, and De Montfort, Leicester, England.
He was commissioner for information in Bayelsa State, but resigned in 2005 when DSP Alamieyeseigha, the then governor, was impeached.
Diagnosed since 2008, Mr Douglas has been battling the disease since, with ‘encouraging signs’ of improvement.
On March 18, he was said to have been told by his doctors that he had a few more days to spend.
“During a recent trip to US for his regular check-up, he was told by his doctors that he could not survive further medication,” a family source said.
President Goodluck Jonathan said he was deeply saddened by the news of Douglas’ death.
The deceased was the president’s personal aide for close to a decade.
A statement by Jonathan’s special adviser on media and publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, described the deceased as a worthy and shining example for Nigerian youths.
Jonathan said the late Douglas would be specifically remembered for his passion for work and outstanding commitment to duties.
The president extended his condolences to the Douglas family and the government and people of Bayelsa State on the death of his aide, who he described as one of their most distinguished sons, who served his country, state and the Niger Delta region passionately and diligently during his very impactful years on earth.
The statement read, “The President will always remember him for his passion for work, excellence, inspiring creativity and outstanding commitment to his duties.
“The President remains thankful to God Almighty for the brilliance and resourcefulness that Oronto brought to bear on every assignment as a loyal and dutiful aide during his tenure as Governor of Bayelsa State and as vice president, acting president and president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“President Jonathan believes that Oronto will remain a shining and worthy example for every young Nigerian who seeks a life of service and achievement.”
The president prayed that Almighty God grant his soul eternal rest, and his family and friends the fortitude to bear the pain of his death.
Formal funeral arrangements will be announced by the Douglas family.
At some stage, family members and friends said they thought he had survived the cancer until he suffered a relapse in 2011.
He had been visibly sick in the last one year, losing weight dramatically.
Douglas was said to be in high spirits till the moments leading to his death.
“You would not believe he was so sick if you listened to him on the phone; only if you saw him physically would you know his state. By Wednesday, he was still working,” the source added.
Unlike in 2011 when he went on the nationwide campaign tour of Jonathan, Douglas was not strong enough to participate in the 2015 campaign, and could no longer go to office.
Douglas, who would have clocked 49 on August 6, cut his teeth as a young lawyer and environmental rights activist.
He was the deputy director of the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria, a group devoted to “protecting the environment”.
The Okoroba-born humanitarian had degrees in law from the University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, and De Montfort, Leicester, England.
He was commissioner for information in Bayelsa State, but resigned in 2005 when DSP Alamieyeseigha, the then governor, was impeached.
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