Chairman Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Senator Bukola Saraki, has described the death of late President of Ghana, Dr. John Evans Atta-Mills, as a blow to the African continent.

Saraki in a statement issued in Ilorin and signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Advocacy, Mr. Omisore Bamikole, said that, "late president Mills would forever remained in the memory of his people and all those who knew him closely as a true patriot of his native land, having devoted his life to the struggle and good governance in Ghana".

According to the statement, "It was with heavy heart that I received the news of the passing away of President of Ghana, John Atta Evans Mills. The news came to me as a shock and we can only pray for the good people of Ghana as they go through this sad moment".

He said, "I had the opportunity to spend some time with the late president during his time in New York on leave and was very optimistic about his country, ours and Africa as a whole." Saraki added, "He was loved by Nigerians with his invaluable contribution to the smooth bilateral relationship between both countries".

He stressed, "His death is a huge loss to Africa and its allies."

The statement reads further, "On behalf of the good people of Kwara and myself, I express my deepest sympathy and profound condolences to the entire nation of Ghana, most especially his relatives and close associates, May God bless the Atta Mills family, the government of Ghana at this trying moment."

Saraki therefore advised the new President, John Dramani Mahama, to continue to strengthen the enormous task of moving Ghana forward especially in the bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Ghana.