According to a statement from ex-
Vice President Atiku Abubakar's
office, he was honored by the South
African leadership at both the state
funeral and private burial ceremonies
of Nelson Mandela in Qunu, near
Mthatha in the Eastern Cape
Province.
"Former Vice President Abubakar was on
Sunday honored by the with front-row
seat," the statement read.
"Mandela's body was flown here from
Pretoria where he had lain is state for
three days for a state funeral attended
by 4,000 and a private burial witnessed
by 400, reserved for key government
officials, a few foreign leaders and
intimate family members.
"Atiku was selected to be among the few
lucky personalities to see Mr. Mandela's
final burial ceremonies in the land of his
ancestors in accordance with the Xhosa
culture by the South African leadership,
with which he has maintained an
excellent type of relationship since the
days when he, as Vice President and the
then Deputy President Zuma co-chaired
the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-national
Commission. That was a period marked
by important trade and investment
relations between the two countries.
"A few African heads of state and
international figures including Rev. Jesse
Jackson, Iranian Vice President and
Prince Charles of Britain were similarly
honored.
"In a word: humbled," said Atiku
following today's services. "Humbled to
have known a man as great as Nelson
Mandela, humbled to have been a
witness today, and humbled to have
been so honored by the government of
South Africa.
"Atiku flew from Pretoria to Mthatha
with President Zuma in the same plane.
The state funeral was held with
extremely tight security under a vast
domed marquee constructed for the
purpose in the verdant hills adjacent to
the house Mr. Mandela built in Qunu."
Madiba's visit will remain one of
the best days of my life. Forever
honoured to have hosted the great
man. pic.twitter.com/ALvOFocfJk

sincere nija. eja nla of apc!