Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Parliament and Canada and all Canadians, I wish to express my profound sadness at the news of the death of Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, following a long illness.
President Yar'Adua was steadfast in promoting regional peace and security and ensuring Nigeria's leadership role within the international community, particularly with respect to unconstitutional changes of government in the sub-region. In Nigeria itself, President Yar'Adua's pursuit of stability and security for the people of the Niger Delta was a critical aspect of his leadership.
As a faithful friend of Nigeria, Canada has stood alongside Nigerians through the difficult period of President Yar'Adua's illness and we offer our profound condolences to the people of Nigeria on this sad occasion.