FORMER Education Minister, Kenneth Gbagi, has described the death of General Andrew Azazi as a rude shock.
Speaking to The Guardian, Gbagi said: "I am shattered. I was with him last Friday. He was a bosom friend of mine.
It is quite unfortunate.
"I had not seen him for a long time. When I attended the service of songs for the president's late brother, I picked a quarrel with him about us not seeing each other for such a long time.
"In his usual characteristic and humble manner, he apologised profusely. I said, 'let it be'. We exchanged pleasantries and phone numbers and departed on a good term with a promise and hope of seeing each other again, only for me to hear this unfortunate and rude news of his death. May his soul rest in perfect peace."
Gbagi said: "Azazi was a man who belonged to the old school of people with disciplined upbringing. He was a former student of Urhobo College who rose steadily to the top ranks of the army and served his fatherland dedicatedly. And even after retirement, he still came back to serve as the National Security Adviser to the president.
"That tells you the kind of man he was and how devoted he was to the cause of the country. He belonged to the stock of the few honest people that we have in Nigeria today."
… A Great Tragedy, Says Edem Duke
MINISTER of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Chief Edem Duke, has described the death of General Azazi as a great tragedy to the nation.
The Minister said: "It is so terrible. To be honest, I am short of words. I can't find words to express the grief that one feels at this point in time because nobody expected this kind of thing to happen to anyone who has gone to sympathise with another over an unfortunate situation.
"It is a tragedy for Nigeria and for the family of the people involved. One can only hope and pray that the leadership of the country finds the fortitude to hold on as this point in time, bearing in mind that unconfirmed reports reflect some of the people concerned are from within the hierarchy of government.
He added: "This is the kind of thing you hope is a dream but unfortunately it is not. It is so, so sad and tragic for us as a people and a nation."
