Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed heartfelt condolences to Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan following the death of her husband, Hafidh Ameir Hassan.
Hassan died while receiving treatment at a hospital in Zanzibar and was buried on Monday evening at his family’s residence in Kizimkazi, a village on the semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo described the late Hassan as the first “First Gentleman” who carved a unique path in Tanzania’s history.
“Rather than seeking the noisy glare of the political spotlight, the late First Gentleman remained a humble and dedicated agricultural academic, choosing to anchor his wife’s family with quiet grace,” Obasanjo said.
He noted that Hassan stood by President Samia “through the decades, long before you took up the monumental task of leading your great country, providing the warmth of home and a steady anchor.”
Obasanjo said the news of the passing was received with deep shock and profound sorrow. “On behalf of my family and on my own behalf, I write to express our heartfelt condolences to Your Excellency, your children including Wanu and the entire bereaved family during this difficult and painful moment of bereavement,” he stated.
He described the loss as both a profound personal tragedy for the President and her children and a loss for the wider East African community that respects her leadership and service.
“We take solace in knowing that he lived a meaningful life and left behind a wonderful family that continues to contribute meaningfully to public life and society,” Obasanjo added.
He prayed that God would grant President Samia the fortitude and divine comfort to bear the irreparable loss and that the soul of Hafidh Ameir Hassan would rest in eternal peace.
